Islamabad Court Grants Bail to Imaan Mazari, Husband in Cases

Islamabad – (Web Desk) – On Friday, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad granted bail to human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in two separate cases, ordering their immediate release.

The bail was approved by ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain in a case related to a protest outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The court allowed their release on surety bonds of Rs 5,000 each after the complainant, IHC Bar Association President Wajid Ali Gilani, withdrew his complaint against the couple.

Represented by Advocate Eimal Khan Mandokhail, Mazari and Chattha’s lawyer emphasized that the couple had not been involved in any violent acts, but were peacefully protesting in support of Justice Jahangiri outside the high court.

Mandokhail also highlighted that another FIR, concerning a protest at the National Press Club, was filed without any valid grounds.

He told the court that the couple had consistently stood with victims and were engaged in pursuing cases of missing persons. He contended that the cases against them were fabricated due to their legal advocacy in enforced disappearance cases.

The prosecution opposed the bail applications. However, after hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved and later announced its decision, approving the bail petitions.

Cases against Mazari and Chattha have been registered at the Secretariat and Kohsar police stations in Islamabad.

Separately, the Islamabad High Court took up a miscellaneous application seeking early fixation of Imaan’s and Hadi’s plea for suspension of sentence in a controversial tweets case.

During Friday’s hearing, Justice Muhammad Asif informed counsel that a date would be given once previously scheduled matters were concluded.

State counsel Ali Azad and other lawyers requested that the case be fixed for hearing before Eid. The court directed its staff to schedule the matter in accordance with policy.