ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday directed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to conclude the proceedings regarding the suspension of sentences for human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chatha, within a fortnight.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, issued the directive while hearing the couple’s applications seeking the suspension of their sentences and grant of bail.
بریکنگ نیوز ، سپریم کورٹ نے ایمان مزاری اور ہادی علی چٹھہ کی سزا معطلی درخواستوں پر اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ کو دو ہفتے میں فیصلے کرنے کا حکم دے دیا تب تک کیس سپریم کورٹ میں زیر التوا رہے گا
— Saqib Bashir (@saqibbashir156) May 12, 2026
During the proceedings, the apex court expressed its intent to ensure a swift judicial process, noting the prolonged nature of the case. In a notable moment during the hearing, Justice Shahid Waheed remarked, “Iman Mazari is the daughter of this country,” an observation seen by legal observers as an empathetic recognition of her status as a citizen and human rights defender.
“Imaan Mazari is the Daughter of this country”
Said J Shahid Waheed, presiding judge of three member bench of Supreme Court after narrating order in Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha Case. pic.twitter.com/DZwoG9FN42
— Maryam Nawaz Khan (@maryamnawazkhan) May 12, 2026
Rather than deciding on the merits of the main appeals itself, the apex court opted to remand the matter of the suspension of sentence back to the IHC, placing a strict two-week deadline for a decision. The Supreme Court further clarified that the case would remain pending before it until the High Court reaches a conclusion.
Until the IHC issues its verdict, previous orders—including the stay on certain trial court proceedings—are expected to remain in the field.
It is pertinent to mention here that the case against the duo has been a flashpoint for domestic and international human rights groups, who have characterized the legal action as a crackdown on dissent and activism. The couple was convicted in a case involving social media posts and alleged interference in state affairs—charges their counsel has consistently dismissed as politically motivated and an abuse of cyber laws.
The proceedings have been marked by a series of arrests, protective bails, and administrative delays at the High Court level, leading to mounting pressure from the legal fraternity. Scores of lawyers have voiced their support for Mazari and Chatha, viewing the trial as a litmus test for free speech and judicial independence in the country.
Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court’s intervention signals a push against judicial lethargy in high-profile activism cases. All eyes are now on the Islamabad High Court, which must decide the fate of the couple’s liberty by the end of the month.
