In Islamabad, significant legal developments unfolded as human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha, faced new judicial challenges. Just hours after the Supreme Court suspended their sentences related to controversial social media posts, the couple was remanded in custody for another case. This new case was filed at the Kohsar police station, as confirmed by Imaan’s mother, Shireen Mazari, and their legal team.
Legal Proceedings and Judicial Decisions
Shireen Mazari, a former federal minister, expressed concerns over persistent efforts to keep the couple incarcerated. Their lawyer, Riasat Ali Azad, reported that a sizable contingent of Islamabad police had transferred them to the Kohsar police station. There, Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain ordered their judicial remand concerning a case identified as FIR No. 276/2025.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had relieved Imaan and Hadi by suspending their sentences. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, part of a two-judge bench, granted relief as the couple appealed against the Islamabad High Court’s decision from February, which had denied suspension of their sentences.
Background of the Sentences
The couple had previously been sentenced to 17 years in prison by an Islamabad sessions court on January 24 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). This conviction, resulting from charges of cyber terrorism and dissemination of false information, had drawn widespread condemnation from legal professionals and United Nations experts.
The Supreme Court, during a hearing on Thursday, granted them bail with surety bonds amounting to Rs200,000, ordering their release pending the Islamabad High Court’s final verdict. Justice Afghan noted the couple’s professional status as lawyers and emphasized the importance of maintaining courtroom decorum.
Ongoing Legal Battles
The Supreme Court converted their petitions into appeals and temporarily suspended the operation of their convictions. This decision allowed for their release, contingent upon the submission of personal surety bonds.
Despite the suspension, the couple’s legal journey has been fraught with delays. The Islamabad High Court had postponed hearings multiple times, prompting interventions from the Supreme Court. The court had previously directed the high court to expedite the process, a directive which had not been fully realized by the stipulated deadline.
The Case’s Origin
The legal troubles for Imaan and Hadi began with their arrest on January 23 following a protest outside the Islamabad High Court. They were accused of manhandling the president of the IHC Bar Association, leading to their arrest. The subsequent social media posts case added to their legal woes, with allegations of spreading narratives aligned with terrorist groups and implicating security forces in cases of missing persons.
These charges culminated in a conviction for cyber terrorism and dissemination of false information, with sentences to run concurrently. The initial complaint was lodged by an official from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, further complicating their legal battles.
