SC disposes of Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha's appeals in security breach case

On October 29, the Rawalpindi ATC had sentenced both to 10 years in prison and fined each Rs100,000 under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. The case was registered at the Aabpara police station. It alleges that the couple created a security risk by interfering in state matters during an international cricket team's visit in October 2024.

A three-member bench led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the couple's appeals against an IHC order relating to their trial proceedings. The bench disposed of the petitions, observing that the matter had become infructuous before the Supreme Court and that the IHC would decide whether the petitions were maintainable.

Background. The couple has been in custody since January 23 this year, when they were arrested in a case over a protest outside the IHC. The next day, a sessions court handed them 17-year sentences on several charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), in a case about controversial social media posts.

On September 17, after months of hearings, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences in the tweets case and granted bail against Rs200,000 surety bonds each, pending the final decision of the IHC.

The relief did not last: within hours, Islamabad police rearrested them in another case and presented them before an ATC. case, the two were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads during a protest.