IHC issues notices on applications seeking early hearing of Imaan, Hadi's sentence suspension pleas

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued notices on multiple applications seeking early hearing of sentence suspension pleas filed by human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatha in the social media posts case.

During the hearing, the couple’s lawyer, Faisal Siddiqi, requested Justice Muhammad Azam Khan to fix the matter for Monday (May 25).

Issuing notices, Justice Khan remarked, “Let us hear the other side as well.”

At the same time, the judge observed that Monday would be the last working day before Eidul Azha and said the matter could not be fixed on that day.

Siddiqi responded that if the other side sought an adjournment on Monday, his clients would not object.

Justice Khan then remarked that the case would instead be fixed for the first working day after Eid, adding, “Now your fate is like this, what should I do?”

Former president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) Riasat Ali Azad also requested the court to fix the matter for Monday, saying both petitioners were respected members of the legal fraternity.

Justice Khan stated that he would review the court’s cause list for Monday before making a decision. The couple’s counsel later agreed to fix the case after Eid.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned.

It should be noted that the Supreme Court (SC) had directed the IHC on May 12 to decide within two weeks on Imaan and Hadi’s pleas seeking the suspension of their sentence.

A day earlier, the judge had raised objections over the non-submission of certified copies of the SC order. Justice Khan had directed Siddiqui to submit a certified order through the court office in accordance with the procedure.

In January, the couple was sentenced to 17 years in prison in the social media posts case. The couple was handed 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 10 (cyber terrorism), five years’ imprisonment under Section 9 (glorification of an offence) and two years’ imprisonment under Section 26-A (false and fake information) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Peca).

The controversy at the centre of the case stems from a complaint filed on August 12, 2025, by the assistant director (investigating officer) at the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency, Islamabad, before the Cybercrime Reporting Centre, FIA, under Peca.

The complaint accused Imaan of disseminating and “propagating narratives that align with hostile terrorist groups and proscribed organisations,” while her husband was implicated for reposting some of her posts.