IHC adjourns hearing of Imaan Mazari-Chattha sentence suspension pleas

Court has adjourned the hearing after two members of prosecution team could not turn up before it

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-June 1^st, 2026) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday adjourned till June 4 the hearing of sentence suspension pleas moved by human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in a case related to alleged controversial social media content.

IHC Justice Muhammad Azam Khan was hearing the case.

The court adjourned the hearing after two members of the prosecution team could not turn up before it.

Justice Khan was informed that one prosecutor was travelling from Lahore, while another was engaged in proceedings before the Chief Justice of the IHC.

The Supreme Court had on May 12 ordered the IHC to decide the suspension of sentence applications within two weeks. However, the matter remained pending as proceedings continued beyond the stipulated timeframe.

During the hearing, Justice Khan observed that he was present specifically for the case despite having other official commitments, including mediation training scheduled for the same morning. He questioned whether the prosecution was fully aware of the Supreme Court’s directions regarding timely disposal of the matter.

Counsel for the petitioners, Advocate Riasat Ali Azad, informed the court that the deadline set by the Supreme Court had already expired. Another counsel, Faisal Siddiqui, argued that the prosecution should ensure its presence in court instead of conflicting with other engagements.

The court noted that the petitions were filed in line with the Supreme Court’s order, which required the IHC to decide the suspension applications within two weeks of May 12.

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Justice Khan added that judicial time had already been allocated for the hearing.

The prosecution requested an adjournment until Thursday or the following Monday. After consulting the defence counsel regarding availability, the court fixed June 4 as the next date of hearing.

The defence counsel urged the court to avoid further delays in the matter. In response, Justice Khan remarked that all parties were bound by the Supreme Court’s directive and that compliance did not require repeated reminders.

Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha have been in custody since January in multiple cases, including allegations linked to a protest outside the Islamabad High Court and an incident involving the IHC Bar Association president.

Following their arrest, a sessions court sentenced them to a total of 17 years in prison in a case related to alleged social media posts.

The case originated from a complaint lodged in August 2025 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. It accused Imaan Mazari of sharing content allegedly associated with proscribed organisations, while her husband was accused of reposting similar material.

In January, the trial court handed down sentences of 10 years for cyber terrorism, five years for glorification of offences, and two years for spreading false information under relevant sections of PECA.

The couple later challenged their conviction before the IHC on February 7 and also approached the Supreme Court seeking an early hearing of their appeals.