IHC reserves order on maintainability of Imaan, Hadi’s petitions seeking suspension of sentences

The Islamabad High Court has reserved its order on whether petitions challenging the sentences of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha are maintainable. The duo received a combined 17-year jail sentence on January 24 for charges related to controversial tweets, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

Their convictions drew widespread condemnation from legal professionals and United Nations experts. Following the sentencing, Imaan and Hadi appealed their convictions to the IHC on February 7. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the petitions challenging the trial court's judgment.

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You should prepare first. It is good for your rights.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), represented by its counsel, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the suspension of sentence petitions were filed prematurely. The prosecution urged the court to first decide its separate application challenging the admissibility of the pleas, asserting that hearing the suspension petitions beforehand would render their objection ineffective.

Advocate Faisal Siddiqui, representing Imaan and Hadi, expressed readiness to argue the prosecution's objection immediately, suggesting both matters be heard together if the prosecution maintained its stance on non-maintainability. However, Justice Khan advised the defense counsel to prepare his arguments, stating it would be in the interest of his clients' rights. The court ultimately decided to rule on the prosecution's objection regarding maintainability before addressing the merits of the suspension requests.

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I waive my rights. I am ready to give arguments.