ISLAMABAD Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband advocate Hadi Ali Chattha have filed an appeal in the Islamabad High Court challenging their conviction in a case related to controversial social media posts.
The couple has asked the court to declare the January 24 verdict null and void suspend their 17 year prison sentences and grant them bail. In their petition they argue that the trial court violated due legal process by announcing the verdict while a transfer petition was still pending before the high court which they say rendered the judgment unlawful.
The appeal further claims that their right to a fair defence was restricted. It alleges a lack of transparency during proceedings and states that when state counsel raised concerns about questions being shared in advance, the court failed to order any inquiry. The petition also raises concerns about their arrest alleging the use of force while they were being brought to court.
Additionally the couple argues that effective cross examination was denied as they appeared via video link without proper access to case records.
The case stems from posts on X (formerly Twitter) which authorities described as anti-state. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency registered the case under PECA 2016.
The conviction has drawn international attention with Amnesty International and UN experts calling for the couple’s immediate release.
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