Court rules that legal procedure must be followed before seeking relief following meeting at Adiala Prison
Dr Shireen Mazari. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday ordered that a petition filed by former federal minister Shireen Mazari regarding denial of a prison meeting with her daughter Imaan Mazari and son-in-law Hadi Ali Chattha be first submitted to the superintendent of Adiala Prison.
The petition concerns the alleged refusal of prison authorities to allow Mazari to meet his daughter and son-in-law, currently detained at Adiala prison.
Rights defender Imaan Mazari and her husband Chattha were convicted on January 24 in Islamabad in a case linked to alleged posts and reposts on X that investigators described as “anti-state.” The case was registered in August 2025 by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. Authorities alleged the content aimed to undermine state institutions and align with banned organizations or individuals.
These convictions were widely condemned by members of the legal community, politicians and civil society.
Mazari filed a petition with the IHC on Tuesday, seeking respect for what she says is her legal right to meet her daughter and son-in-law under prison laws. “I am a mother. I want to meet my daughter and my son-in-law, but you are stopping me,” she told the court.
Read: Shireen Mazari moves IHC to get right to meet daughter and son-in-law in Adiala prison
Earlier on Tuesday, Mazari tried to visit her daughter at Adiala prison but was not allowed to meet her.
The case was heard by Judge Arbab Muhammad Tahir. Mazari appeared in court with his lawyer, Kamran Murtaza, and other lawyers.
During the hearing, the court asked whether a formal request had been submitted to the prison director. Addressing Mazari, Justice Tahir said the law requires such a request to be made to the relevant administrative authority before approaching the court.
“You must first file an application and then come and see us,” observed the judge, adding that you must follow the procedure provided for by law.
The court advised Mazari to approach either Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa or Adiala Prison Superintendent Sajid Baig. Justice Tahir said that if the application was rejected by the authorities, then the court could be approached for relief.
Mazari’s lawyer asked the court to give the prison director one or two days to consider the request.
The court then disposed of the petition and ordered that it be forwarded to the Superintendent of Adiala Prison for appropriate action. There was no immediate response from prison authorities following the court order.
