IHC grants protective bail to Imaan Mazari, husband in controversial tweets case

Court bars arrest till Tuesday, orders accused to appear before trial court after IHC hearing

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted one-day protective bail to Advocate Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, barring their arrest until Tuesday and directing them to appear before the court.

Justice Azam Khan heard the petition filed by Mazari and Chattha challenging the trial court’s decision to issue non-bailable arrest warrants in the controversial tweets case. The court approved protective bail until Tuesday and adjourned the hearing, ordering both accused to appear before the high court.

During the hearing, petitioners’ counsel Kamran Murtaza told the court that the couple’s bail had been cancelled twice and arrest orders had already been issued. “Even if there is any grievance against a lawyer, a judge should exercise restraint,” he said, adding that the trial court was taking up the case every 15 minutes.

Murtaza also pointed out that Mazari is a woman and unwell. “After Allah Almighty, judges hold an important position,” he said, urging the court to grant relief.

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

Separately, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard proceedings in the trial court and issued directions in line with the IHC order. The prosecutor informed the court that the accused had obtained protective bail from the high court and were directed to appear there on Tuesday.

The judge ordered that Mazari and Chattha must appear before the trial court within one hour of their appearance before the Islamabad High Court. He said the accused would present themselves before his court and their statements under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code would be recorded there. The trial court adjourned the case until Tuesday.

Earlier, on Saturday, the additional district and sessions court had reissued non-bailable arrest warrants for Mazari and Chattha, noting that their bail had already been cancelled and arrest orders had not been executed. The judge had advised the defence to seek relief from the Islamabad High Court, saying he lacked the authority to reverse the bail cancellation.

The couple had earlier surrendered before the trial court and sought suspension of the arrest order and permission to appear via video link, but the court maintained that only the high court could grant such relief.

Read More: Court cancels bail of Imaan Mazari, husband in social media posts case

The case against Mazari and Chattha relates to allegedly controversial posts and reposts on X, formerly Twitter, described by authorities as “anti-state”. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency registered the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, alleging the content was intended to incite divisions and portray state institutions negatively.

The trial court had earlier issued non-bailable warrants after the accused failed to appear, prompting legal challenges over transparency, recording of evidence in their absence and alleged procedural irregularities. The couple later approached the Islamabad High Court and then the Supreme Court, which temporarily halted the trial pending the high court’s review.