IHC grants pre-arrest bail to Imaan, Hadi in July case

Islamabad – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted pre-arrest bail to activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case originating from July that resurfaced earlier this week. A day earlier, the couple had approached the court seeking urgent relief but faced difficulties as they tried to avoid arrest in connection with a protest organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

Amid rising tensions, Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Syed Wajid Ali Gilani escorted the couple to his office and assured them of full protection, stating that no arrest would be allowed within the bar premises. Mazari and Chattha remained there overnight, while a heavy police presence, including a female station house officer, stayed outside the building.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan took up the pre-arrest bail plea and approved bail for both petitioners against surety bonds of Rs10,000 each. Advocate Kamran Murtaza represented the couple, with numerous lawyers and IHCBA officials present in court to show solidarity.

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Addressing the bench, Murtaza described the situation as unprecedented, saying it was the first time in Pakistan’s judicial history that a woman had been forced to spend the night inside court premises. He expressed personal regret over the incident, adding that had the case been older, the arrest would likely have been carried out immediately, despite the petitioners regularly appearing before courts since July.

“You are the custodian of the high court. You must ensure that no one is taken away from here,” the defence counsel pleaded with the judge.

“We are not enemies of the country. As much as you have the right, I also have the right to be in this building,” advocate Murtaza said.

He requested that the court grant protective bail and sought directions that no arrest should be made in any other case unless it has been formally placed on record.

In response to his request, Justice Khan observed, “I am passing orders only to the extent of the FIR that is before me.”

Subsequently, Justice Khan granted protective bail to Mazari and Chattha and restrained the police from arresting them in the case.

Earlier on Tuesday, the IHC declared the trial court’s order against Mazari and Chattha null and void in a case over social media posts.

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In the case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Peca), the two have been accused of inciting divisions on linguistic grounds through social media posts and creating the impression that the armed forces were engaged in terrorism within the country.

Justice Khan, in a two-page written judgment, disposed of the applications and directed that the accused be granted four days to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses.