Pakistan court hears appeals to suspend sentences of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha

The Supreme Court of Pakistan heard appeals filed by incarcerated human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chatha, seeking the suspension of their 17-year prison sentences on Thursday.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim adjourned further proceedings on the petitions until September 17.

Why are Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha seeking sentence suspension?

The lawyer couple was handed a 17-year prison sentence by an Islamabad sessions court under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) over alleged anti-state social media posts. Defense counsel Faisal Siddiqui informed the Supreme Court bench that although the apex court previously ordered the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to decide on the sentence suspension pleas within two weeks, the high court failed to execute the directive.

The petitioners reapproached the apex court because the IHC repeatedly deferred hearings on their applications. Defense lawyers raised concerns that the IHC abruptly fixed the case for September 8, alleging that high court dates were scheduled primarily when the Supreme Court was about to rule on the matter.

An additional Attorney General challenged the maintainability of the Supreme Court petitions, arguing that the IHC operates under its own listing procedures. However, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim questioned where the law specifies that such petitions are non-maintainable, while Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan remarked that the system should be allowed to be fully exposed.

What did the Supreme Court decide regarding the High Court delays?

Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan inquired about the IHC judicial vacation schedule, which state counsel confirmed ends on September 6. Addressing concerns from defense counsel that the case might be removed from the cause list, Justice Afghan assured the courtroom that the apex court would remain actively seized of the matter.

Both lawyers have remained in custody at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since their conviction. Legal rights documentation by the Digital Rights Foundation notes that legal bodies and bar associations continue advocating for expedited appeals and fundamental constitutional rights for the couple.

The Supreme Court adjourned the case until September 17. Justice Afghan explicitly stated that during the next hearing, the apex court will either issue a formal decision on the sentence suspension pleas or the petitioners will withdraw their case.