Hearing of various requests to obtain an early hearing on the suspension of the couples’ sentences in the tweets case
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday raised objection to various applications seeking early hearing of pleas for suspension of sentence of lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial tweets case.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan of the IHC heard the case.
Senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqi appeared on behalf of Imaan and Chattha. Imaan’s mother Dr Shireen Mazari, Islamabad District Bar President Naeem Gujjar, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and members of the civil society were also present in the courtroom.
Siddiqi informed the court that various petitions had been filed seeking early resolution of the pleas for suspension of sentence. He said the Supreme Court had already directed the IHC to hear the matter at the earliest and decide it within two weeks.
Justice Khan observed that the court did not have the order of the Supreme Court and asked the lawyer to read out the order. The lawyer responded that a copy of the Supreme Court order had been attached to the various petitions.
The judge noted that the order specifically stated that the matter was to be decided within two weeks of receipt of the certified copy, adding that the court was yet to receive the authenticated order.
“How could the miscellaneous petition be filed if the authenticated order of the Supreme Court was not available?” » he questioned. He also asked the lawyer if he had the certified copy.
Siddiqi replied in the affirmative and informed the court that he was also providing the copy to the court.
