IHC seeks NCCIA reply on pleas seeking suspension of Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha sentences

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued a notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on appeals seeking suspension of sentences awarded to human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a controversial tweets case.

Faisal Siddiqui Advocate, along with Zainab Janjua and others, represented the couple before the court.

During the hearing, Siddiqui argued that the trial court had announced its verdict despite a pending petition seeking transfer of the case. He further contended that statements of two witnesses were recorded in the absence of the accused.

“Nobody can stop the court from giving a sentence, but at least give the suspects the right to a fair trial,” Siddiqui submitted.

He also requested the bench to fix the next hearing on a date convenient for him, noting that he had travelled from Karachi to appear in the case. The court subsequently adjourned proceedings.

Separately on Thursday, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad granted bail to Mazari and Chattha in a case relating to an alleged attack on police personnel. The court approved bail against surety bonds of Rs10,000 each.

Riasat Ali Azad, representing the accused in the ATC, argued that the case was fabricated. “I have myself been nominated in the case,” he told the court, claiming the FIR was baseless and lodged in connection with an incident that never occurred.