The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has recently dissolved the bench that was tasked with hearing the appeals of prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chatha. This development was officially announced on Monday by Justice Muhammad Asif, the Chief Justice of the IHC, who has now taken over the responsibility of handling their case. The decision to dissolve the bench comes amid procedural considerations and overlaps with other ongoing cases.
Previously, the bench was actively engaged in reviewing the appeals filed by Mazari and Chatha, who had sought an expedited hearing of their case. However, it was noted that Justice Azam Khan was concurrently presiding over similar matters, prompting the court to reassign the appeals to the Chief Justice for a consolidated and streamlined approach. This move aims to ensure judicial efficiency and avoid duplication of efforts in cases with overlapping legal issues.
To provide some background, the couple was convicted earlier this year in January by a district and sessions court in Islamabad. The conviction stemmed from their social media activity on the platform formerly known as Twitter, now called X. Their posts were judged to be promoting narratives associated with hostile terrorist organizations and proscribed groups, as well as undermining public confidence in state institutions. These allegations led to serious charges under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The court handed down a combined sentence totaling 17 years in prison, alongside hefty fines amounting to millions of rupees. Specifically, both Mazari and Chatha received five years under Section 9, which deals with the glorification of offences, ten years under Section 10 concerning cyberterrorism, and an additional two years under Section 26-A related to the dissemination of false and fake information. These sentences are to run concurrently, and the time they have already spent in detention will be deducted from their overall terms.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the couple has been participating via video link from Adiala Jail, where they remain in judicial custody linked to a separate case. Notably, during the hearing of the verdict, both Mazari and Chatha chose to boycott the session, citing allegations of mistreatment and violations of due process. Their legal representatives have consistently raised concerns about the conditions of their detention, including claims of solitary confinement and restricted access to legal counsel and family members, despite explicit orders from the High Court to ensure their rights are protected.
Their defense team comprises a distinguished group of lawyers and barristers, including Zainab Janjua, Asif Irfan, Ahsan Jamal Pirzada, Qasim Nawaz Abbasi, Chhachh Muhammad Ashraf Gujar, Chaudhry Naeem Ali Gujar, Faisal Siddiqi, Riyasat Ali Azad, and Syed Wajid Ali Shah Gilani. This team has been vocal about the challenges faced by Mazari and Chatha, emphasizing the need for fair trial standards and adherence to legal safeguards in line with constitutional guarantees.
The case has ignited widespread debate and criticism within civil society and the legal fraternity. Many bar associations and human rights organizations have expressed deep concern over the implications of the verdict on freedom of expression and the broader principles of justice. The application of PECA in this instance has been described by several rights groups as excessively harsh and disproportionate. In response, protests erupted across various cities, accompanied by strikes from lawyers demanding a review of the case and greater protections for free speech.
As the IHC Chief Justice now assumes direct oversight of the appeals, all eyes remain on the court’s next steps. The reassignment signals a critical juncture in the judicial process, with significant implications for the couple’s fate and the ongoing discourse surrounding digital rights and state security in Pakistan.
