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Lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, have challenged their convictions in the security breach case by filing appeals in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The couple filed separate applications seeking suspension of their sentences awarded by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi.
Advocates Faisal Siddiqui, Riasat Ali Azad and Zainab Janjua submitted the appeals on behalf of Mazari and Chattha, arguing that the trial court had failed to ensure the requirements of a fair trial.
Couple Challenges ATC Verdict
In their appeals, the lawyers cited various judicial precedents concerning violations of the right to a fair trial.
They argued that the jail trial had been conducted in violation of Article 10 and effectively amounted to a secret trial.
The appeals requested the Islamabad High Court to set aside the ATC verdict that sentenced both Mazari and Chattha to 10 years in prison and imposed financial penalties.
The couple has also requested the suspension of their sentences and their release on bail while the appeals are pending.
The IHC has assigned case numbers to the appeals.
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha Sentenced to 10 Years
On October 29, an Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi sentenced Mazari and Chattha to 10 years’ imprisonment and imposed fines of Rs100,000 each under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.
The case was registered at Aabpara Police Station and relates to allegations that the lawyer couple posed a security risk by interfering in state affairs during the visit of an international cricket team in October 2024.
According to the court’s order, both were also sentenced to an additional two years in prison and fined Rs50,000 each under Section 353.
They received another one-year prison sentence and an additional fine of Rs50,000 each under Section 186.
However, the court granted them the benefit of Section 382.
The court directed that all sentences would run concurrently, meaning the couple would serve a total of 10 years in prison rather than the combined length of the individual sentences.
Case Background
The ATC indicted Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha on October 7 in connection with the case registered on October 25, 2024.
The case concerns allegations linked to security arrangements during the visit of an international cricket team to Pakistan.
With the appeals now filed, the Islamabad High Court will be approached to review the convictions, while the couple has separately sought relief through suspension of their sentences and bail.
