The Supreme Court also set July 21 for the hearing on the requests for suspension of sentence.
Lawyer and rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday fixed July 24 for hearing of applications for suspension of sentences awarded to lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial tweets case.
According to the list of cases released by the IHC Registrar’s Office, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan will hear the applications for suspension of sentence. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also scheduled the hearing on the applications for suspension of sentence on July 21, ahead of the IHC proceedings.
Imaan, a rights activist and lawyer, and Chattha, a lawyer, were sentenced in January 2026 to a combined 17 years in prison on multiple charges related to controversial social media posts that the prosecution said amounted to an anti-state narrative under cybercrime laws.
In March, Imaan approached the SC seeking suspension of his sentence, moving the apex court after the IHC failed to list his request for hearing. Filed through Siddiqi, the motion stated that despite his lawyer’s request to stay the trial court’s judgment, the IHC only issued notices on the stay request on February 19 and did not suspend the petitioner’s sentence.
Further, the petition claimed that the trial court’s order was totally illegal and clearly in bad faith, as it violated the requirements of due process under Articles 10 and 10A of the Constitution, violating the mandatory provisions of Articles 233, 234, 353, 367 and 526 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
The SC, in an order issued on May 12, directed the IHC to decide the applications within two weeks. The plea hearing was set for June 4, but the hearing did not take place after the docket was canceled.
Read also: SC seeks answers on Imaan’s conviction plea
In June, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) also challenged the SC’s earlier order directing the IHC to decide the couple’s suspension applications within a specified time frame. In its petition, the NCCIA contended that the SC cannot interfere in cases already pending before a High Court.
The petition said that in its order dated May 12, the Supreme Court had given certain directions to the High Court, whereas the power to decide an application for suspension of sentence lies with the concerned High Court, which is required to hear all parties and decide the matter in accordance with law.
The NCCIA argued that in line with the principle of equal treatment, the SC should withdraw the said order. He contended that Imaan and Chattha were not entitled to any special concession or preferential treatment merely because they were members of the legal fraternity.
According to the petitioner, a party cannot approach the SC directly against the decision of a High Court to summon the opposite party for a hearing. The NCCIA requested the apex court to recall its order dated May 12, 2026, so that the matter can be referred to the competent High Court in accordance with law.
Social media cases
The case against Imaan and Hadi concerns allegedly controversial posts and reposts on X, described by authorities as “anti-state.” The NCCIA registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, alleging that the content was intended to incite divisions and portray state institutions in a negative manner.
The case about the social media posts came to the IHC after the trial court proceedings on November 19, during which the statements of all prosecution witnesses were recorded. Both levels challenged procedural irregularities, including the recording of evidence in their absence and the appointment of a court-appointed lawyer without their consent, prompting the IHC to intervene.
Legal bodies, including the Islamabad Bar Association, criticized aspects of the proceedings, arguing that the accused’s right to a fair defense had been compromised.
Their request to transfer the case was heard by the High Court, which refused to grant an immediate stay. The couple then approached the Supreme Court, which temporarily stayed the trial until the High Court completed its hearing.
Learn more: IHC adjourns suspension pleas of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha until June 4
Meanwhile, several other FIRs surfaced against the couple during this period. One of the newly surfaced FIRs, registered at Kohsar Police Station on July 26, 2025, was lodged following the complaint of Police Commissioner Safdar Hussain in connection with a protest by the Balock Yakjehti Committee at the National Press Club under several sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The couple were arrested on January 23 near the underpass outside the Serena Hotel on their way to the district court and then sent to 14-day remand by an anti-terrorism court.
A district court and a magistrate court subsequently sentenced them to a combined term of 17 years’ rigorous imprisonment each: five years under Section 9 of PECA (plus a fine of Rs 5 million), 10 years under Section 10 (plus Rs 30 million) and two years under Section 26-A (plus Rs 1 million), with additional imprisonment for non-payment of the fine. fines. The judge also acquitted them of PECA’s Article 11 charge of hate speech, saying prosecution witnesses did not support the allegation.
During the proceedings conducted via video link, Imaan alleged ill-treatment in detention and announced a boycott of the hearing. The judgment noted that the two men were already in custody in another case and said they would remain in prison to serve their sentences, with credit for time spent in custody under section 382-B of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
