The pair still cannot be released as the case for bail in the tweets remains pending; The IHC processes deferral requests
Lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday granted bail to human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in two more cases.
Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain granted bail on surety of Rs5,000 each. One case concerns a fight outside the high court, while the other concerns a protest outside the Press Club. In the High Court litigation, the complainant, High Court Bar President Wajid Gilani, had given a statement a day earlier.
Despite the recent bail approvals, Imaan and Hadi cannot be released as they have been convicted in the controversial tweets case and their bail in the controversial tweets case remains pending. In addition to the delay, requests for adjournment of sentence in that case have not yet been set for early hearing at the High Court.
Read: Amnesty condemns sentences of Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha
On February 19, Judge Zulqarnain granted Imaan and Hadi bail after being arrested on bail of Rs 10,000 each in a case involving a confrontation with the police. The case, registered at the Secretariat police station, involves allegations of police brawl and public protest.
Both Imaan and Hadi were given a combined jail term of 17 years on January 24 by a court in Islamabad. The pair were convicted of multiple charges linked to controversial social media posts that prosecutors argued amounted to an anti-government narrative under cybercrime laws.
In a 22-page judgment penned by District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka, Imaan and Hadi were found guilty under several provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. They were acquitted of one charge of hate speech.
The IHC hears requests for a stay of sentence
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) took up hearing of suspension of sentence petitions filed by Imaan and Hadi, with Justice Muhammad Asif presiding over the case.
The government requested that the case be transferred to the court in Azam Khan, where the Assistant Public Prosecutor argued that a similar case had previously been heard there. But the couple’s lawyer, Riasat Ali Azad, pushed back, noting that “no such case is pending in any other court.”
Read more: UN experts raise alarm over Imaan, Hadi’s conviction
He added that their appeal had been heard in the same court from the very beginning and that the court had their full confidence.
“It is troubling to me how the government can object to the bench,” Azad remarked before appealing for urgency. “My only request is that it would be a great relief for us if the matter is settled before Eid,” he said.
Judge Asif responded, saying, “Okay, let’s see,” before retiring to his chambers. The public prosecutor also did not object to setting a date. Azad expressed confidence that a date would be announced by the end of the day.
On February 21, the IHC issued a written order in the controversial tweets case, issuing notices of appeals filed against Imaan and Hadi’s convictions. The court had also issued notices on applications for stay of their sentence.
Justice Asif issued a two-page written order after the hearing. According to the ruling, Imaan and Hadi challenged their sentence in January at the High Court. The petitioners’ counsel argued that the decision was not legally sound and should be declared null and void.
