Separately, the IHC issues notices in appeals of controversial tweets case judgments
Lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Wednesday granted bail to rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chatha, in a case involving a confrontation with the police.
Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain ruled in favor of the accused and granted bail after arrest on surety of Rs10,000 each. The case, registered at the Secretariat police station, involves allegations of police brawl and public protest.
Read: Court cancels bail of Imaan Mazari, husband in social media post case
Representing the accused, Public Prosecutor Ali Azad argued that the charges were baseless as the FIR was filed based on fabricated and non-existent events. After hearing arguments from both parties, the court passed a favorable order in favor of the accused.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court issued notices on appeals filed by Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha against their convictions in the controversial tweets case. The court also issued notices in response to their requests for stay of the sentences and sought responses from the authorities concerned.
During the hearing, a representative of the petitioners, advocate Faisal Siddiqui, urged the court to fix an early date for the next hearing. In response, Justice Muhammad Asif said a date would be given.
The hearing was held before Justice Muhammad Asif of the Islamabad High Court. Lawyers Siddiqui, Zainab Janjua and others represented Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha. Siddiqui stated that the request for transfer of the case was still pending when the high court delivered its judgment. He also pointed out that the statements of two witnesses were recorded in the defendant’s absence.
Siddiqui further mentioned that when the judgment was delivered, a section had been removed by the trial judge.
Read more: Imaan Mazari claims ill-treatment as court hears tweet case via video link
“If you want to impose a sentence, impose it ten times, but at least complete the trial,” he said. Justice Asif replied that notices were issued and the paper books would arrive soon. Siddiqui requested that the court schedule the suspension hearing on a day when he could be present as he is traveling from Karachi. When the court asked when he would be free, Siddiqui suggested Monday or Tuesday.
The court confirmed that a date would be set and issued notices to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) requesting a response. The court then adjourned the further processing of the case.
The court had sentenced Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha to 17 years in prison each.
Case history
Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, were convicted by a district court in Islamabad in a case of controversial social media posts and sentenced to 17 years in prison.
The case centers on alleged controversial posts and reposts on X, formerly Twitter, which authorities have described as “anti-state”. The NCCIA had registered the case in August last year under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, claiming the content was intended to incite divisions and portray government institutions negatively.
Much earlier in the case, the trial court issued non-bailable arrest warrants after the accused failed to appear, drawing criticism and legal challenges from the defense. Mazari and Chattha later approached the Islamabad High Court alleging lack of transparency and procedural irregularities, including recording of evidence in their absence and without proper legal representation.
Their request to transfer the case was heard by the High Court, which declined to grant an immediate stay. The couple then moved to the Supreme Court, which ordered a temporary stay of the trial until the High Court concludes its hearing.
Both the IHCBA and the Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) issued separate statements condemning the arrest of the lawyer couple. The IBA called it an “illegal and unconstitutional” arrest at a meeting and called on the authorities to immediately release both on January 23.
