Court reissues non-bailable warrants for Imaan Mazari, husband over 'anti-state' tweets

An Islamabad district court on Saturday reissued non-bailable arrest warrants for human rights lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, during proceedings in their case.

The hearing was held at the District and Sessions Court in Islamabad and presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Mojoka. Prosecutor Rana Usman, DSP Legal, and defence counsel Riyasat Ali Azad were present.

Defence counsel told the court that Mazari and Chattha had surrendered and appeared before the judge, and requested the suspension of an earlier order directing their arrest and production through a video link. The court briefly adjourned the hearing following the request.

When proceedings resumed, Judge Mojoka said a questionnaire had been prepared and would be provided to the accused, adding that further proceedings would be conducted in open court.

The judge noted that the court had earlier issued a judicial order cancelling bail and directing the issuance of arrest warrants. Referring to a Lahore High Court ruling, he observed that arrest warrants could be withdrawn in certain situations but said the present case was being heard on a daily basis.

Read: Court orders arrests of Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha within 24 hours

Judge Mojoka said the police had received the NCCIA report regarding the warrants but noted that the arrest orders had not been executed.

He advised the defence to approach the Islamabad High Court for relief, saying he had reviewed the law and the case in detail. “If I had the authority to reverse the bail cancellation order, I would have done so,” the judge said.

The defence argued that the accused should be provided a conducive environment to appear before the court and questioned the grounds on which bail had been cancelled, maintaining that the trial court could review its own decision.

Prosecutor Rana Usman opposed the request, arguing that only the High Court had the authority to grant such relief. He said the trial court could not reverse its earlier order until the accused formally surrendered.

The court adjourned the proceedings until January 19.

Case history

The case against Mazari and Chattha centres on alleged controversial posts and reposts on X, formerly Twitter, which authorities have described as “anti-state.” The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, saying the content was intended to incite divisions and portray state institutions negatively.

Earlier, the trial court issued non-bailable arrest warrants after the accused failed to appear, drawing criticism and legal challenges from the defence. The couple later approached the Islamabad High Court, alleging a lack of transparency and procedural irregularities, including the recording of evidence in their absence and without proper legal representation.

Their plea to transfer the case was heard by the high court, which declined to grant an immediate stay. The couple then moved the Supreme Court, which ordered a temporary halt to the trial until the high court completes its hearing.

Legal bodies, including the Islamabad Bar Association, have criticised aspects of the proceedings, arguing that the defendants’ right to a fair defence has been undermined.