IHC restores bails of Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha in controversial tweets case

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restored the bail of Advocate Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial tweets case, along with reinstating their right to defence before the trial court.

Justice Azam Khan, while hearing the case, issued key orders and suspended the trial court’s earlier rulings. The court directed that cross-examination be completed within three days.

During the hearing, the accused’s lawyer, Kamran Murtaza, requested one week’s time. In response, Justice Azam Khan remarked that the matter would be reviewed and instructed all parties to proceed with the trial in a peaceful manner.

Mazari and Chattha are facing charges in a case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under Sections 9, 10, 11, and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, and were formally indicted on October 30.

According to the first information report (FIR), the two allegedly sought to stir divisions along linguistic lines through content shared on social media.

Last month, both accused approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), stating they had lost confidence in Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka and requested that the controversial tweets case be transferred to another court.

Earlier this week, the IHC granted Mazari and Chattha one-day protective bail, despite Judge Majoka having directed them to appear before his court on Tuesday.