IHC moved for early hearing of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha pleas

ISLAMABAD: Separate applications were filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday seeking an early hearing of petitions for suspension of sentence submitted by Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Chatha in the controversial tweets case.

The applications were filed through advocates Faisal Siddiqui, Zainab Janjua and Mohammad Jibran Nasir. According to the petitions, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had on May 12 directed the high court to decide the suspension of sentence pleas at the earliest.

The petitions stated that the apex court had observed that the matter should be taken up on a priority basis within two weeks. They further said that despite the passage of several months, the suspension of sentence petitions filed on February 27, 2026 had still not been fixed before any bench of the high court.

The petitioners told the court that Ms Mazari and Mr Chatha had been in jail since January 24, 2026, and argued that the continued non-listing of their petitions was against the requirements of justice.

Through the fresh applications, they requested the IHC to fix the suspension of sentence petitions for hearing during the week beginning May 18.

Supreme Court direction cited in pleas

The applications relied on the Supreme Court’s May 12 direction to the IHC regarding the pending pleas. According to the petitions, the apex court had asked the high court to decide the matter as early as possible and had observed that it should be heard on a priority basis within two weeks.

The filings said that even after that direction, and despite the petitions having been submitted on February 27, 2026, the matter had not yet been listed before any bench.

Petitioners seek listing next week

The petitioners asked the high court to take up the suspension of sentence pleas in the week commencing from May 18. They maintained that both Ms Mazari and Mr Chatha had remained incarcerated since January 24, 2026.

The applications before the IHC concern only the request for an early hearing of the already pending suspension of sentence petitions in the controversial tweets case.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on May 12 directed the high court to decide the suspension of sentence petitions at the earliest.

The matter now awaits action by the Islamabad High Court on the request for early listing.