The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday reinstated bail for lawyer and rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case registered under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The case relates to social media posts that authorities claim allegedly promoted proscribed organisations and criticised state security institutions. Earlier, a lower court had cancelled the couple’s bail and issued arrest warrants after they failed to appear before the court.
During the hearing, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan suspended the arrest warrants, allowed the defence to cross-examine prosecution witnesses, and directed the trial court to conclude the proceedings within three days.
The court’s decision comes amid wider debate over digital freedom of expression, political activism, and campaigns highlighting the issue of missing persons in Balochistan. The couple is also facing a separate case linked to a protest held in 2025.
Despite the relief granted in the PECA case, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha are still present inside the Islamabad High Court premises, as Islamabad Police is deployed outside the court to arrest them in another case. The second case is related to their alleged participation in a protest organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee in Islamabad against enforced disappearances.
Also Read, NADRA based biometric verification system implemented to avoid fake court cases
In a major step towards improving transparency and helping to curb scams, Punjab’s courts have introduced a mandatory biometric verification system to prevent fake cases, bogus bail, and the use of false identities, effective from today.
According to media reports, the implementation of the project began following the formal approval of Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Justice Ms Aalia Neelum.
Under the issued notification, biometric verification of parties has been made mandatory in all courts across Punjab before any judicial proceedings can take place.
