The Islamabad High Court issued notices on applications seeking an early hearing for the sentence-suspension pleas of two human-rights lawyers [1].
This legal move is critical as it determines whether Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatha will have their sentences suspended following a case involving social-media posts [1].
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan presided over the proceedings on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 [1]. The court is reviewing requests filed by the lawyers to expedite the hearing of their pleas regarding the controversial tweets case [2].
During the session, Justice Khan emphasized the need for a balanced legal process. "Let us hear the other side as well," Khan said [1].
Faisal Siddiqi, the counsel representing Mazari-Hazir and Chatha, urged the court to expedite the timeline. "We request that the matter be fixed for Monday, 25 May," Siddiqi said [3].
The court granted the request for a prompt follow-up. The further hearing has been fixed for Monday, May 25, 2024 [1].
The notices issued by the court allow the state to provide a formal response to the applications before the judge makes a determination on the suspension of the sentences [2].
“"Let us hear the other side as well."”
The court's decision to issue notices and schedule a rapid follow-up hearing indicates a procedural step to ensure the state's position is recorded before deciding on the lawyers' freedom. This case highlights the ongoing legal tensions in Pakistan regarding social-media expression and the judicial treatment of human-rights defenders.
