In Islamabad, the Supreme Court on Wednesday closed appeals filed by lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in the security breach case. The filings came only days after the couple challenged their convictions in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court had sentenced Mazari and Chattha on October 29 to 10 years in prison and fines of Rs100,000 each under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The case was registered at Aabpara Police Station. Allegations say the couple posed a security risk by interfering in state affairs during an international cricket team’s visit in October 2024.
Supreme Court ruling and the IHC’s next step
A three-member bench led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the appeals against an IHC order related to the trial court proceedings. The top court stated that the matter had become infructuous before it. It said the IHC would decide whether the petitions can be maintained.
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The couple has been held since their arrest on January 23 this year, in a case linked to a protest outside the IHC. A day later, a sessions court handed them a 17-year sentence on several charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), relating to controversial social media posts.
Bail granted, then fresh arrest by police
On September 17, after months of hearings, the Supreme Court suspended the couple’s sentences in the case over controversial tweets. It granted bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each, pending a final decision from the IHC. That relief did not last long.
Hours later, Islamabad police arrested the couple again in another case and presented them before an anti-terrorism court. According to the first information report (FIR), the pair was accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads during a protest.
