ISLAMABAD: A case registered against lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha in July 2025 resurfaced on Tuesday, revealing that both had filed pre-arrest bail applications, which could not be taken up on an urgent basis as the couple struggled to avoid arrest.

During the intervening period, Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Syed Wajid Ali Gilani called Ms Mazari-Hazir and Mr Chattha to his office and assured them of complete safety, stating that no arrest would take place from within the bar premises. He also informed them that the hearing would be scheduled later in accordance with the court’s roster.

Subsequently, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the trial court’s order against Ms Mazari-Hazir and Mr Chattha null and void. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, in a two-page written judgement, disposed of the applications and directed that the accused be granted four days to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses.

Trial court adjourns hearing of controversial tweets case due to non-appearance

The court categorically clarified that Ms Mazari-Hazir and her husband shall not be arrested in the present case. However, Justice Azam Khan observed that if the accused fail to appear before the trial court, the protection granted under the order would stand automatically terminated. The trial court was further directed that in case of non-appearance, proceedings may continue in accordance with the law.

Hearing adjourned

Meanwhile, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka adjourned the hearing of the controversial tweets case without proceeding further, as neither Ms Mazari-Hazir nor her husband Mr Chattha appeared before the court. Their assistant defence counsel attended the hearing and informed the court that both accused were filing fresh bail applications before the IHC and that the written IHC order had not yet been received by the trial court.

The court directed the defence to submit a copy of the newly registered FIR and ordered the accused to appear at 8:30am on Wednesday (today) so that the hearing could be concluded. The judge also remarked that appropriate orders could be passed if the accused failed to appear by 1:30pm, after which the court took a brief recess.

In the meanwhile, Ms Mazari-Hazir and Mr Chattha learnt that another FIR related to the Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) protest had also been registered against them, in which they were not on bail. The couple along with a few fellow lawyers and some vloggers, remained in the IHCBA’s president office, while a large number contingent of police officials, including a female station house officer, stayed outside the bar premises.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, visited Ms Mazari-Hazir and Mr Chattha at the office of the IHCBA president to express solidarity. Speaking to the media, he criticised what he described as a broader crisis of justice in the country, stating that people approached courts seeking relief but were instead subjected to repression.

Mr Abbas said that civil society members, lawyers, and political voices were being silenced, while the people of Balochistan continued to suffer. He questioned the registration of an FIR after six months, alleging that the case was intended to incarcerate the accused “at all costs”.

Terming the proceedings against Ms Mazari-Hazir and Mr Chattha a grave injustice, he warned that such actions further erode public confidence in the judiciary. He added that accountability must not turn into revenge and emphasised that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to life, liberty, and freedom of expression.

Ms Mazari-Hazir and her husband Mr Chattha remained present at the IHCBA president’s office till the filing of this report.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2026