IHC grants protective bail to Imaan, husband

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.

The case against both husband and wife 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.

Justice Azam Khan on Monday 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.