The Islamabad High Court (IHC) intervened on Monday to provide temporary legal protection to Advocate Imaan Mazari and her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha. The court granted them a one-day protective bail, effectively preventing their arrest until Tuesday. The bench also directed the couple to appear before the court.
Details of the Case and Court Proceedings
The legal action against the husband and wife stems from a series of allegedly contentious posts and shares on the social media platform X, which was formerly known as Twitter. Authorities have characterized this online activity as "anti-state" in nature. The case was formally registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The agency's allegations state that the content in question was designed to incite societal divisions and present a negative portrayal of state institutions.
Justice Azam Khan Hears the Petition
Justice Azam Khan presided over the hearing on Monday. The session was dedicated to a petition filed by Mazari and Chattha, which challenged a prior decision made by a trial court. The lower court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for both individuals in connection with the controversial tweets case. After considering the arguments, Justice Azam Khan approved the protective bail, valid until the following day.
Court's Order and Next Steps
The IHC subsequently adjourned the hearing. The court's order explicitly bars law enforcement agencies from arresting the accused until Tuesday. Furthermore, the bench has mandated that both Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha must appear before the high court for the next phase of proceedings. This development offers a brief respite for the couple as they navigate the legal complexities of the case filed under the country's cybercrime laws.
