An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Wednesday approved post-arrest bail for rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case related to an alleged confrontation with police officers. ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain granted bail against surety bonds of Rs10,000 each. The case, registered at the Secretariat Police Station, pertains to accusations involving a clash with police and a public protest.
During the proceedings, defence counsel Ali Azad argued that the allegations were baseless and that the FIR had been lodged on fabricated claims. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court ruled in favour of the couple.
In a separate development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices on appeals filed by Mazari and Chattha challenging their convictions in the controversial tweets case. The court also sought responses from relevant authorities regarding their plea for suspension of the sentences.
The hearing took place before Justice Muhammad Asif. Advocate Faisal Siddiqui, representing the petitioners along with Zainab Janjua and others, requested an early hearing date. Justice Asif assured that a date would be fixed. Siddiqui argued that the trial court had announced its verdict while a transfer application was still pending and claimed that statements of two witnesses were recorded in the absence of the accused. He further alleged that a paragraph was removed from the judgment at the time of its announcement.
The IHC issued notices to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and adjourned proceedings.
Previously, a trial court had sentenced Mazari and Chattha to 17 years in prison each in a case concerning alleged anti-state social media posts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
Also Read: Imaan Mazari Sentenced Amid Pregnancy?
