Pakistan’s Supreme Court has suspended the jail sentences of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha. The case involves social media posts made on X. The court also ordered their release on bail. The development came on Thursday, September 17, 2026. A two-member Supreme Court bench heard their appeals. Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim were part of the bench.
The decision means the couple will remain on bail while the Islamabad High Court considers the case. The Supreme Court linked their release to the final decision of the IHC.
Supreme Court suspends sentences
The Supreme Court suspended the trial court’s earlier judgment against the lawyer couple. It also granted bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each, according to local reports. Their lawyer, Faisal Siddiqi, confirmed the development after the hearing. He said the court had suspended the trial court’s judgment. He also confirmed the couple would be released on bail.
The case dates back to January 2026. An Islamabad sessions court sentenced both lawyers to prison over multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
Why were the lawyers sentenced?
The case involved social media posts published on X. The prosecution accused the couple of violating several provisions of PECA. These included charges related to cyberterrorism and false information. The sessions court handed down a cumulative sentence of 17 years to each accused person. The sentence covered several charges under PECA.
The court also imposed fines totaling Rs36 million on each person. The sentences included five years under Section 9, 10 years under Section 10, and two years under Section 26-A. The couple denied the allegations against them. Their legal team later challenged the convictions and sought suspension of their sentences.
Case moved to Islamabad High Court
Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Chattha filed appeals before the Islamabad High Court in February. They also sought suspension of their prison sentences. The Supreme Court later directed the IHC to decide their suspension pleas. That direction came on May 12, 2026. The case continued through several hearings. The IHC later declared their sentence suspension applications maintainable. The court then scheduled further proceedings in the case. The latest Supreme Court order changes their immediate legal status. However, it does not represent a final decision on the underlying case. The IHC still has to issue its final ruling.
What happens next?
The lawyer couple will remain on bail while their case continues before the Islamabad High Court. The final outcome will depend on the proceedings before the IHC. The case remains under legal consideration. The latest order provides temporary relief but does not end the proceedings.
After hearing their appeals against the earlier court decisions. Their next major legal step remains linked to the Islamabad High Court proceedings.
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