The Supreme Court on Thursday suspended the prison sentences of lawyer and rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case linked to their social media posts. The court also granted them bail until the Islamabad High Court gives its final decision.
The couple was sentenced by an Islamabad district and sessions court in January 2026. Each received a 17-year prison sentence under several sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), along with fines. The case was registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The prosecution alleged that their posts could promote divisions on linguistic grounds and contained material against state institutions. The charges included provisions related to cyber terrorism, glorification of an offence and false information.
Mazari and Chattha challenged their convictions before the Islamabad High Court and also sought suspension of their sentences. The matter remained pending after several hearings and adjournments. They later approached the Supreme Court for relief.
The Supreme Court granted bail against surety bonds of Rs 200,000 each. The suspension remains linked to the outcome of their pending case before the Islamabad High Court.
