ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a halt to the trial proceedings against Advocate Imaan Mazari in the controversial tweets case, directing that the matter remain suspended until the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decides the pending petitions.
A SC three-member bench headed by Justice Hashim Kakar and comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard Mazari’s plea seeking suspension of the trial.
The Supreme Court instructed that the trial be stopped until the IHC reaches a decision after hearing all parties. The order noted that the High Court is expected to provide a fair hearing to both sides and deliver its verdict without delay.
During the proceedings, Justice Hashim Kakar remarked, “We are dictating the order; you have no objection?” Additional Attorney General Rana Asad replied that he had raised objections regarding the petition’s maintainability but agreed to proceed.
Advocate Faisal Siddiqi, counsel for Mazari, thanked the Additional Attorney General and said, “In this city, we have nowhere to go except your court.” Justice Kakar responded humorously, “You’ve started making political statements again,” drawing laughter in the courtroom.
He added, “This time you didn’t recite a verse.” Siddiqi promptly recited a couplet:
Hum aah bhi karte hain to ho jaate hain badnam,
Woh qatl bhi karte hain to badnam nahi hote.
Justice Kakar responded that the verse was an old one which prompted more laughter in the courtroom.
Siddiqi informed the court that his clients were charged under PECA and that cross-examination of four witnesses was conducted without the accused being present. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim asked him to show the order sheet proving this, to which Siddiqi said they had protested in the courtroom.
Justice Salahuddin Panhwar noted that Siddiqi appeared to have been present in court but had walked out in protest. Siddiqi confirmed this. Justice Kakar remarked that absence during testimony was a strategic decision by the defence and reiterated that a fair trial must be ensured. “No one can be convicted without a transparent trial,” he said, adding that both accused, being lawyers themselves, could cross-examine witnesses.
Justice Kakar emphasised that neither the trial court nor the High Court should be undermined. “If the trial court delivers a verdict, the revision before the High Court becomes ineffective,” he observed.
Additional Attorney General Rana Asad reiterated his objection over the petition’s maintainability. Justice Kakar responded, “Hanging Imaan Mazari would gain you nothing, nor would the sky fall. The Constitution guaranteed a fair trial.”
During the hearing, the Ambassador of Norway was also present in the courtroom.
