Controversial tweet case: trial court starts recording witnesses’ statements afresh

By Nadir Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The District and Sessions Courts Islamabad on Wednesday resumed recording statements of prosecution witnesses in the controversial tweet case against human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband advocate Hadi Ali Chatha.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka recorded statements of two prosecution witnesses as the Islamabad High Court had ordered the trial court to re-record the statements of prosecution witnesses in the controversial tweet case.

During the hearing, prosecution witnesses Afzal and Shahroz Riaz recorded their statements before the court.

With this, statements of three prosecution witnesses have now been recorded in the case.

Imaan Mazari requested the court to adjourn the hearing, stating that she had to appear before the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).

She informed the court that statements of two remaining witnesses were yet to be recorded and would be completed tomorrow. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the hearing until Wednesday.

The proceedings are part of a fresh round of evidence recording following directions issued by the Islamabad High Court, which had ordered the trial court to re-record prosecution witness statements to ensure compliance with fair trial requirements.

The case pertains to alleged controversial posts shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), for which a complaint was filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Authorities allege that the content shared by Imaan Mazari, and reposted or amplified by Hadi Ali Chatha, amounted to unlawful and objectionable material. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, the defence had challenged the trial court proceedings before the Islamabad High Court, arguing that witness statements were recorded without proper opportunity for cross-examination and in violation of due process.

Taking up the matter, the IHC directed the trial court to re-record evidence without commenting on the merits of the case, stressing the importance of procedural fairness.

Following the high court’s order, the trial court restarted the process of recording prosecution evidence. The case has attracted wide attention from legal circles and civil society, with concerns repeatedly raised over the application of cybercrime laws and the right to a fair trial.

Further proceedings are expected to continue with the recording of the remaining prosecution witnesses tomorrow.