Court bars arrest till Tuesday, orders accused to appear before trial court after IHC hearing
Human rights lawyer and social activist Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo file
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted one-day anti-bail protection to lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, barring their arrest till Tuesday and ordering them to appear before the court.
Justice Azam Khan was hearing the petition filed by Mazari and Chattha challenging the trial court’s decision to issue non-bailable warrants in the controversial tweet case. The court granted bail till Tuesday and adjourned the hearing and ordered both the accused to appear before the high court.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer Kamran Murtaza told the court that the couple’s bail had been canceled twice and arrest warrants had already been issued. “Even if there is any complaint against a lawyer, a judge should exercise restraint,” he said, adding that the trial court took up the case every 15 minutes.
Murtaza also pointed out that Mazari is a woman and sick. “After Allah Almighty, judges have an important position,” he said, urging the court to grant leniency.
Read: Court orders arrests of Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha within 24 hours
Separately, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard the matter in the trial and issued directions in accordance with the IHC order. The prosecutor informed the court that the accused had obtained bail from the High Court and was ordered to appear there on Tuesday.
The judge ordered Mazari and Chattha to appear before the trial court within an hour of their appearance before the Islamabad High Court. He said the accused would present themselves before his court and their statements under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code would be recorded there. The High Court adjourned the case until Tuesday.
Earlier, on Saturday, the Additional District and Sessions Court had reissued non-releasable arrest warrants on Mazari and Chattha, noting that their bail had already been canceled and arrest warrants had not been executed. The judge had advised the defense to seek relief from the Islamabad High Court, saying he lacked the authority to reverse the cancellation of bail.
The couple had earlier surrendered to the high court and sought a stay of the arrest warrant and permission to appear via video link, but the court maintained that only the high court could grant such relief.
Read more: Court cancels bail of Imaan Mazari, husband in social media post case
The case against Mazari and Chattha allegedly relates to controversial posts and reposts on X, formerly Twitter, described by authorities as “anti-government”. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, claiming that the content was intended to incite divisions and portray government institutions negatively.
The court had earlier issued non-bailable warrants after the accused failed to appear, leading to legal challenges regarding transparency, recording of evidence in their absence and alleged procedural irregularities. The couple later approached the Islamabad High Court and then the Supreme Court, which temporarily stayed the trial pending the high court’s review.
