IHC reinstates Imaan Mazari and husband's bail in tweets case

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday restored the bail of rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in the case linked to allegedly controversial social media posts.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan suspended the trial court order that had cancelled their bail and curtailed their defence rights, including the ability to cross-examine witnesses. The trial court had cited non-appearance when it issued its decision earlier this month.

Mazari and Chattha appeared before the high court while challenging the trial court’s move. Their counsel, Kamran Murtaza, sought additional time to complete cross-examination.

The court declined a week-long request and directed the defence to complete cross-examination within three days, emphasising that proceedings should continue without disruption.

The couple face allegations under multiple sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, with the case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. They were indicted in late October.

According to the FIR, the posts in question allegedly attempted to stir divisions on linguistic lines.

Geo News reported that the couple had previously approached the Islamabad High Court to seek transfer of the case to another court, citing a lack of confidence in the trial judge. A day earlier, the high court had granted them protective bail as the matter proceeded.