ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday issued notices on several applications seeking an 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 counsel, Faisal Siddiqi, requested Justice Muhammad Azam Khan to schedule the matter for hearing on Monday, May 25.
After issuing notices in the matter, Justice Khan remarked that the court should first hear the stance of the other side as well.
The judge also observed that Monday would be the final working day before Eidul Azha holidays and stated that the case could not be fixed for hearing on that day.
In response, Siddiqi told the court that if the opposing side requested an adjournment on Monday, his clients would not raise any objection.
Justice Khan then remarked that the case would instead be scheduled 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, Riasat Ali Azad, also urged the court to fix the hearing for Monday, saying both petitioners were respected members of the legal community.
Justice Khan responded that he would first review Monday’s court cause list before taking a final decision. Later, the couple’s counsel agreed to have the case fixed after the Eid holidays.
Following the discussion, the hearing was adjourned.
It is pertinent to note that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had directed the Islamabad High Court on May 12 to decide within two weeks on the pleas filed by Imaan and Hadi seeking suspension of their sentences.
A day earlier, Justice Khan had raised objections regarding the non-submission of certified copies of the Supreme Court’s order. He directed lawyer Faisal Siddiqi to submit the certified order through the court office in line with the prescribed legal procedure.
Earlier this year, in January, the couple was sentenced to 17 years in prison in the social media posts case. They were awarded 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 10 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 relating to cyber terrorism, five years under Section 9 concerning glorification of an offence, and two years under Section 26-A for spreading false and fake information.
The controversy surrounding the case originated from a complaint filed on August 12, 2025, by an assistant director and investigating officer of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency in Islamabad before the Cybercrime Reporting Centre of the Federal Investigation Agency under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.
According to the complaint, Imaan was accused of disseminating and propagating narratives allegedly aligned with hostile terrorist groups and banned organisations, while her husband Hadi Ali Chatha was implicated for reposting some of her social media posts.