“SC Halts Trial Court Proceedings Against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in Social Media Post Case”

SC Halts Trial Proceedings Against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in Social Media Post Case

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Thursday stayed trial court proceedings against rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in a case linked to alleged controversial social media posts, pending the outcome of their appeals before the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

A three-judge SC bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and comprising Justice Salahuddin Panwhar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, issued the stay order while hearing Imaan’s petition challenging the IHC’s Dec 1 decision, which had denied interim relief by refusing to pause the trial.

Imaan and her husband — facing trial under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) — had requested the apex court for an urgent hearing, arguing that the IHC had not granted them necessary interim protection. Their criminal revision before the IHC contests the trial court proceedings over alleged due process violations, particularly the recording of evidence in their absence, contrary to the CrPC.

During the hearing, Justice Kakar stated that the SC “expects the IHC to decide the petition after providing a full opportunity of hearing to both parties.” The stay order halts the trial scheduled to resume on December 15 before AD&SJ Muhammad Afzal Majoka.

The petitioners were represented by senior counsel Faisal Siddiqi, while Additional Attorney General (AAG) Rana Asadur Rehman opposed the maintainability of the appeal. Justice Kakar noted that plaintiffs may adopt diverse legal strategies, but emphasized that the court would not undermine the trial judge.

A notable moment in the proceedings was the presence of Norwegian Ambassador Per Albert Ilsas, which sparked discussion on social media. Responding to claims of “breach of diplomatic norms,” Imaan clarified that diplomats routinely observe court hearings, adding that such attendance does not imply taking a position in any case.

The controversy originated from a complaint filed on August 12, 2025, by an assistant director of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) at the FIA’s Cybercrime Reporting Centre. The complaint accused Imaan of sharing and “propagating narratives aligned with hostile terrorist groups and proscribed organisations,” while her husband was implicated for reposting her content.