Court bars arrest till Tuesday and orders accused to appear before trial court after IHC hearing
Human rights lawyer and social activist Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo archive
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court on Monday granted one-day protective bail to lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, barring their arrest till Tuesday and ordering them to appear in court.
Justice Azam Khan heard the petition filed by Mazari and Chattha challenging the trial court’s decision to issue non-bailable arrest warrants in the controversial tweets case. The court approved protective bail till Tuesday and adjourned the hearing, ordering both accused to appear before the high court.
During the hearing, the petitioners’ lawyer Kamran Murtaza told the court that the couple’s bail had been canceled twice and arrest warrants had already been issued. “Even if there is any grievance against a lawyer, a judge should exercise restraint,” he said, adding that the trial court was taking up the case every 15 minutes.
Murtaza also pointed out that Mazari is a woman and is sick. “After Almighty Allah, judges occupy an important position,” he said, urging the court to grant relief.
Read: Court orders arrest of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha within 24 hours
On the other hand, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard the proceedings in the trial court and issued directions in accordance with the IHC order. The prosecutor informed the court that the accused had obtained protective bail from the high court and were due to appear there on Tuesday.
The judge ordered Mazari and Chattha to appear before the trial court within an hour of their appearance before the Islamabad High Court. He said the accused would appear before his court and their statements would be recorded there under section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The trial court adjourned the case until Tuesday.
Earlier on Saturday, the additional district and sessions court had reissued non-bailable warrants for Mazari and Chattha, noting that their bail had already been canceled and the arrest warrants had not been executed. The judge had advised the defense to seek relief before the Islamabad High Court, claiming that he lacked the authority to reverse the bail cancellation.
The couple had earlier surrendered before the trial court and sought suspension of the arrest warrant and permission to appear via video link, but the court held that only the high court could grant such relief.
Read more: Court cancels bail of Imaan Mazari, husband in social media posts case
The case against Mazari and Chattha relates to allegedly controversial posts and reposts on X, formerly Twitter, described by authorities as “anti-state.” The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, alleging that the content was aimed at inciting divisions and negatively portraying state institutions.
The trial court had previously issued non-bailable arrest warrants after the defendants failed to appear, sparking legal challenges over transparency, recording of evidence in their absence and alleged procedural irregularities. The couple subsequently approached the Islamabad High Court and then the Supreme Court, which temporarily stayed the trial pending the high court’s review.
