Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha tweet case: hearing adjourned again

WEB DESK: The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad has adjourned until December 15 the hearing in a controversial case concerning alleged contemptuous tweets posted by human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and journalist Hadi Ali Chattha. The verdict was supposed to be delivered today.

The proceedings were presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. Both Mazari and Chatha were present in court for the hearing. Senator Mushtaq among others were present to lend support to the activists and lawyers.

During the session, the defense counsel argued that a related petition concerning the case is currently pending before the Islamabad High Court, seeking a decision on jurisdictional or procedural matters. On this basis, the lawyer requested an adjournment.

Accepting the plea, Judge Majoka postponed the hearing in the case. The court will now resume proceedings on December 15, awaiting potential developments from the higher court.

The case, which has drawn significant public and media attention, stems from social media posts that were deemed contentious. The adjournment indicates the legal complexities involved as the defense seeks clarity from the superior judiciary before proceeding in the sessions court.

Earlier Islamabad police had filed a formal request with a local court to add serious criminal charges to her existing legal troubles. The police sought to include accusations under the Official Secrets Act and for allegedly “inciting the public against state institutions.” This request followed an investigation into a protest and related speeches.

The police report specifically cited her participation in a rally outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail and statements she made there. It alleged her speech contained “hateful and provocative” content aimed at state institutions and the army, which could “damage law and order.”

This move represented a major intensification of the state’s case against Mazari, potentially transforming it from a contempt proceeding into a much graver criminal prosecution under stringent laws. The court was set to review this police request to decide whether to formally frame these new charges against her.