Imaan Mazari produced in court after Alleged ‘Interference in State Affairs’

Hours after their arrests in the federal capital on separate allegations, former legislator Ali Wazir and human rights attorney Imaan Mazari were remanded in police detention on Sunday. Imaan Mazari and Ali Wazir have been taken into custody by the Islamabad Capital Police. The Islamabad Police had both offenders on their wanted list.

The city’s police declared on Sunday morning that they would carry out all activities following the law, as stated in their announcement. Wazir and Mazari were among hundreds of people who were arrested for participating in a Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) demonstration that attempted to “interfere in state matters” on Friday, according to a First Information Report (FIR) posted on social media. These arrests were made under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

According to the FIR, several rally attendees were reportedly carrying sticks, and some even had guns. They attempted to march on the capital in defiance of the authorities. Consequently, protesters held a rally in the center of GT Road, blocking access to the main thoroughfare. The participants allegedly damaged a government car, engaged in arguments with authorities, and even forcefully stole an officer’s anti-riot gear while security forces struggled to contain them, as stated in the FIR. Amid heightened security, Wazir and Imaan were presented in front of District and Sessions Judge Ihtasham Alam on Sunday morning. Media entry was not permitted in the courtroom where the prosecutor asked the judge to remand the two in police custody.

Approaching the podium, Shireen Mazari, the mother of Imaan and former minister for human rights, addressed the situation. The former PTI leader denounced the “illegal method” by which the police entered her home early on Sunday, breaking down the main gate and taking her daughter into custody without an arrest order. She stated, “They also shoved me and took my phone.” The judge directed her to address her concerns at the appropriate venue. On the other hand, the investigative officer was instructed to return the ex-minister’s mobile phone “unless it was necessary.”

While these events transpired, the prosecution presented a second FIR to the judge, filed by Islamabad’s Counter-Terrorist Department (CTD) against Wazir and Mazari, encompassing terrorist and sedition-related charges. In connection with the first case reported to the Tarnol Police Station, the judge remanded Wazir for two days and Mazari for one day. However, in light of the second FIR, he directed the authorities to appear in court again on Monday [today]. According to the second FIR filed under sections 124A, 153A, 153, 506, 149, and 148 of the PPC, as well as sections 7, 11W, and 21i of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, Mazari and PTM leaders attempted to incite insurrection among heads, officers, and employees of state institutions.

The report stated that the protest leaders sought to undermine the army, support terrorism, and encourage government officials to violate their oath of allegiance. They expressed concerns about severe repercussions for the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. The report further elaborated that they “used pejorative epithets [for state institutions] to sow animosity among the populace, promote terrorism, incite insurrection, initiate a civil war, and encourage civil disobedience, while inciting people to engage in armed conflict.