IHC to rule on Mazari, Chattha plea withdrawal

Counsel says SC has already granted relief

ISLAMABAD:

The IHC on Wednesday reserved an order on a request by counsel for convicted lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to withdraw their pending applications seeking suspension of sentences in the controversial tweets case.

Justice MuhammadAzam Khan heard the applications filed by the two lawyers, with their counsel Faisal Siddiqui requesting that the pleas be withdrawn after the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and ordered their release on bail.

Siddiqui told the court that the applications pending before the high court should now be disposed of. Justice Azam Khan remarked that the court would pass an order on the matter.

During the hearing, Justice Azam Khan observed that the petitioners had already received relief from the Supreme Court and asked what directions the apex court had given regarding the appeals. Siddiqui replied that the Supreme Court had not directed that the appeals be heard.

At the court's direction, he then read out the Supreme Court's order. The special prosecutor said the Supreme Court had mentioned three matters in its order. Siddiqui, however, interrupted and told him that he had not been present during the proceedings as he was on leave.

The special prosecutor argued that the appeals had effectively been revived following the extraordinary relief granted by the Supreme Court. Siddiqui responded by asking whether the appeals had been considered "dead" before. Justice Azam Khan said the high court would pass an order on the request. The SC had suspended the sentences awarded to Mazari and Chattha and ordered their release on bail.