Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Suspends 17-Year Sentences of Rights Lawyer Imaan Mazari and Husband Hadi Ali Chattha
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 17, Pakistan’s Supreme Court suspended the combined 17-year prison sentences imposed in January on human-rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, and ordered their release on bail pending a decision by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on their suspension applications under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Background & Context
Mazari, a defender of ethnic minorities and journalists, and Chattha were arrested on January 23 near the Serena Hotel under an anti-terrorism court order. A district and sessions court sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment for three PECA provisions: five years (Section 9, Rs5 million fine), ten years (Section 10, Rs30 million fine) and two years (Section 26-A, Rs1 million fine), plus time for non-payment of fines. They were acquitted of a hate-speech charge under Section 11. Both deny the charges, saying the prosecution targeted them for speaking out against disappearances of nationalist activists. United Nations experts and Amnesty International questioned the trial’s fairness; the government asserted judicial independence.
Timeline
- January 23 – Arrest.
- January – Trial court hands down the 17-year sentences.
- May 12 – Supreme Court directs IHC to decide suspension applications within two weeks.
- May 26 – Deadline passes; NCCIA challenges the order.
- July 17 – IHC sets July 24 for hearing.
- July 21 (scheduled) – Supreme Court schedules its own hearing.
- September 8 – IHC hearing adjourned.
- September 17 – Supreme Court suspends sentences and grants bail on Rs200,000 surety bonds each.
Data & Statistics
- Total sentence: 17 years per person.
- Breakdown: 5 years (Section 9) + Rs5 million fine; 10 years (Section 10) + Rs30 million fine; 2 years (Section 26-A) + Rs1 million fine; additional time for non-payment.
- Bail: Rs200,000 surety each, posted with the Supreme Court’s additional registrar.
Official Statements & Responses
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan stressed respect for the appellants’ professional status: “Both are lawyers; we are respecting their dignity. Tell them too to observe the decorum of the court.” Additional Attorney General Rana Asad argued that the IHC is the proper forum, noting, “The High Court has not yet issued any decision against us. Seven opportunities were provided before the trial court.” The Supreme Court framed its order as a temporary measure, converting the petitions into appeals and directing release on bail.
Criticism & Opposition
UN experts and Amnesty International labeled the convictions potentially politically motivated. Islamabad Bar Council vice-chairman Asif Irfan warned that procedural delays deny Mazari and Chattha their constitutional right to a fair trial, accusing the judiciary of failing to resolve fundamental-rights disputes promptly.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am grateful to the Supreme Court for finally delivering justice to the couple,” — Mazari
- “Both are lawyers; we are respecting their dignity. Tell them too to observe the decorum of the court,” — Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan
- “The High Court has not yet issued any decision against us. Seven opportunities were provided before the trial court,” — Rana Asad, additional attorney
- “What transpired at the high court came as a surprise to us.” — Justice Ibrahim
What’s Next
The IHC is expected to rule on the suspension applications in the coming weeks. The Supreme Court will release a detailed judgment after the IHC’s decision, determining whether the PECA convictions remain in force.