The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered the trial court hearing the controversial social media posts case against rights activist Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha to record witnesses’ statements afresh within three days.
IHC’s Justice Mohammed Azam Khan passed the directives while hearing a petition filed by Mazari challenging the trial court’s November 19 order, when the court had recorded the testimonies of all prosecution witnesses. Chattha had appeared before the court while Imaan’s lawyers had marked her presence. The court, however, had ordered the prosecution to proceed with the witnesses’ testimonies.
On Tuesday, IHC’s Justice Khan observed that witnesses’ statements should be recorded again and said that the case was being referred back to the trial court without touching its merits.
During the hearing, defence counsel Riasat Ali Azad told the court that senior advocate Faisal Siddiqui had submitted his power of attorney but was busy with cases in Lahore, seeking a hearing after court vacations.
He also pointed out that the Supreme Court (SC) had directed an early decision in the matter, though no specific timeframe was fixed. Last week, the apex court had stayed trial proceedings against the two until their pending appeals were decided by the IHC.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor, Raja Naveed, maintained that the complete record was available before the court.
Azad then argued that the accused were entitled to full protection under Article 10A (right to a fair trial) of the Constitution and raised the objection that the record had not been properly provided. He contended that the issue had been raised at the previous hearing as well.
During the hearing, the court also questioned whether the statement of the four witnesses had been recorded in the absence of one of the accused. At this, the prosecutor responded by saying that the conduct of the accused was also a relevant factor.
Defence counsel Azad insisted that witness statements must be recorded in the presence of the accused and sought time until Monday.
Subsequently, the court issued directives to the trial court.
The controversy stems from a complaint filed on Aug 12, 2025 by the assistant director (investigating officer) at the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Islamabad, before the Cybercrime Reporting Centre, FIA, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).
The complaint accused Imaan of disseminating and “propagating narratives that align with hostile terrorist groups and proscribed organisations,” while her husband was implicated for reposting some of her posts.
IHC orders authority to decide Afghan national’s POR case
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday instructed the Ministry of SAFRON to decide the case of an Afghan national within one month regarding the POR card.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, hearing the case, remarked that the civil court cannot order to grant citizenship as it is the discretion of the government.
He noted that the issue in this case is that the applicant is an Afghan refugee and he has just come to know that his parents are Pakistani.
The applicant will have to cancel his POR card and then apply for citizenship, he remarked.
The court ordered SAFRON Ministry to decide on petitioner’s application for cancellation of POR card within one month.
The court restrained relevant agencies from deporting petitioner to Afghanistan till SAFRON Ministry’s decision into the matter.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that Peshawar High Court has decided that NADRA has to decide on POR card.
Justice Kayani asked the applicant that if the writ should be converted into petition. You are sitting in the wrong vehicle, he remarked.
The applicant earlier said that, I have applied to the Ministry of SAFRON and NADRA for cancellation of POR card but it is not decided yet.
The court ordered the Ministry of SAFRON to decide on the applicant’s application for cancellation of POR card within a month and adjourned hearing.