IHC seeks NCCIA response on Imaan, Hadi appeals in controversial tweets case

WEBDESK: The Islamabad High Court on Thursday issued notices to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on appeals filed by lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, challenging their conviction in a case related to controversial social media posts.

Justice Muhammad Asif, who presided over the hearing, also sought the agency’s response to the couple’s applications requesting suspension of their sentences. The court directed that the case record be prepared and stated that a date for further proceedings would be fixed.

Conviction under Peca

On January 24, a sessions court in Islamabad sentenced the couple to a combined 17 years in prison under various provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). The ruling drew criticism from rights organisations, opposition parties and sections of civil society.

The trial court handed down 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 10 relating to cyberterrorism, five years under Section 9 for glorification of an offence, and two years under Section 26-A concerning false information. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Defence raises due process concerns

Representing the appellants, senior counsel Faisal Siddiqui argued that the trial court announced its verdict while an application seeking transfer of the case was still pending before the high court. He further contended that two prosecution witnesses were examined in the absence of the accused and questioned the procedure adopted by the trial judge in amending part of the written judgment.

Siddiqui maintained that the right to a fair trial had been compromised, stating that punishment could not precede adherence to due process. He requested an early hearing on the suspension of sentence pleas, noting that he had travelled from Karachi to appear before the court. Justice Asif responded that an appropriate date would be scheduled.

Background of the case

The case originates from a complaint lodged with the NCCIA in Islamabad on August 12, 2025. The complaint alleged that Mazari disseminated content aligned with proscribed organisations, while Chattha was accused of resharing some of the posts.

According to the first information report, the posts criticised security forces over enforced disappearances in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and portrayed the military as ineffective against banned outfits, including the Baloch Liberation Army and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Following their indictment in October 2025, arrest warrants were issued and later reissued after their interim bail was cancelled in January. The couple subsequently challenged both their conviction and arrest orders before the high court.

The IHC has now sought the NCCIA’s reply before proceeding further with the appeals.