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IHC to Hear Appeals of Lawyers Mazari, Chattha in Social Media Case
Islamabad High Court to hear appeals of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha on Thursday against their 17-year jail sentences in a controversial social media case. International rights groups have condemned the conviction.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-18
IHC to Hear Appeals of Lawyers Mazari, Chattha in Social Media Case

The Islamabad High Court has scheduled the appeals of human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha for Thursday (February 19) in connection with their conviction in a high-profile social media posts case.

According to the cause list issued by the IHC registrar’s office, Justice Muhammad Asif will hear the appeals, alongside applications seeking suspension of the sentences awarded to the couple.

Background of Conviction

Last month, Imaan and Hadi were sentenced to a combined 17 years in prison under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) by a sessions court in Islamabad. The charges included:

·       Section 9 (glorification of an offence): 5 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs5 million fine each

·       Section 10 (cyberterrorism): 10 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs30 million fine each

·       Section 26-A (false information): 2 years rigorous imprisonment + Rs1 million fine each

All sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

The couple challenged the trial court’s decision on February 7, arguing the verdict violated fundamental legal principles and was delivered despite a pending application to transfer the case to the IHC, rendering the judgment “unlawful and without jurisdiction.”

International Condemnation

The conviction has drawn sharp criticism from multiple international human rights bodies:

·       International Commission of Jurists (ICJ): Condemned the “arbitrary arrest” and sentencing of the lawyers.

·       United Nations Human Rights Office: Called the conviction “deeply disturbing” due to fair trial concerns.

·       European Union: Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stated the verdict violates freedom of expression and the independence of lawyers, core democratic principles, and Pakistan’s international commitments.

·       UN Experts: A group of five UN special rapporteurs, including Margaret Satterthwaite and Mary Lawlor, warned that the convictions risk criminalizing human rights defenders and lawyers in Pakistan.

“These are not only key democratic principles but also part of Pakistan’s international human rights obligations,” Anouni said. UN experts emphasized that conflating the exercise of free expression with terrorism undermines civil society and could have a chilling effect on human rights work across the country.

The upcoming IHC hearing will be closely watched by legal experts, civil society organizations, and international observers as a test case for freedom of expression and the protection of lawyers in Pakistan.
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