ISLAMABAD: As the Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing in the controversial social media posts case against incarcerated lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, senior lawyers and well-wishers celebrated her birthday outside the court premises.

On Jan 24, the couple were sentenced by an Islamabad sessions court to a combined 17 years in prison on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.

Last month, the couple sought an early hearing of their challenge to the Islamabad High Court’s Feb 19 decision in the social media posts case.

After the Supreme Court issued notices on July 6 on their pleas for an early hearing, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar took up the applications on Tuesday.

The court deferred further hearing of the petitions after noting that the IHC had already fixed the couple’s case for July 24. Justice Mazhar observed that the Supreme Court could not regulate the proceedings of the high court.

Responding to the judge’s remarks, the couple’s counsel, Faisal Siddiqi, argued that the SC had issued directives to high courts in several cases. The bench, however, observed that there was a distinction between regulating proceedings and issuing directives.

During the hearing, the additional attorney general informed the bench that the case was scheduled before the IHC on July 24. Mr Siddiqi, however, argued that the hearing had been fixed because the matter was pending before the SC.

The counsel also pointed out that the previous hearing before the IHC had been adjourned at the prosecution’s request.

Mr Siddiqi requested the court to hear arguments on the legal issue of admissibility or adjourn the matter for two weeks. The bench, however, observed that such an adjournment would amount to monitoring the IHC’s proceedings.

While adjourning the hearing, the SC observed that if any emergency arose, the lawyers could file an application seeking an early hearing.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2026