ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday objected to non-submission of certified copies of Supreme Court orders during the hearing of miscellaneous petitions seeking early fixation of appeals filed by convicted human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial social media posts case.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan was hearing the petitions seeking urgent hearing of sentence suspension applications, in line with earlier directions of the Supreme Court, which had instructed the IHC to decide the matter within two weeks of receipt of the certified order.
Senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqi appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioners. Former Islamabad High Court Bar Association president Riasat Ali Azad, District Bar President Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar, former federal minister and Imaan Mazari’s mother Shireen Mazari, and other lawyers were also present in the courtroom during the proceedings.
At the outset of the hearing, the counsel informed the court that the petitions had been filed for early hearing in light of the Supreme Court’s instructions. However, the bench noted that a certified copy of the apex court’s order had not been placed on record.
Justice Khan observed that the court could not proceed in the absence of the certified order, remarking that judicial directions must be formally submitted through proper legal procedure.
The counsel stated that a copy of the Supreme Court order had been attached with the petitions. However, the judge pointed out that the Supreme Court’s directive clearly stated that the two-week period would commence after receipt of the certified copy.
When asked whether the certified order was available, the counsel responded in the affirmative and offered to submit it during the hearing. The bench, however, declined to accept it directly and directed that it be filed through the court office in accordance with procedure.
The court observed that documents cannot be taken on record informally and must be submitted through a proper application. The judge further questioned why the certified copy had not been filed along with the petitions at the initial stage.
The counsel explained that the certified copy was not available at the time of filing and that the petitions were submitted based on the order available on the Supreme Court’s official website.
After hearing the arguments, the IHC directed the counsel to formally place the certified copy on record through a miscellaneous application and adjourned further proceedings after assurance of compliance.
The case relates to the imprisonment of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, who were arrested in January in connection with a case involving a protest outside the IHC and allegations of misconduct with bar association officials. A sessions court later sentenced them to 17 years’ imprisonment in the social media posts case.
The matter originated from a complaint filed in August 2025 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, alleging dissemination of content linked to proscribed organisations and objectionable narratives. The convicts were awarded sentences under multiple sections of the cybercrime law, including cyber terrorism and dissemination of false information.
Their appeals before the higher judiciary challenge both the conviction and earlier refusals of interim relief, with the petitioners arguing that their fundamental rights to due process and fair trial under the Constitution were violated.
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