Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari on Monday approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC), challenging an order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that declined to suspend her sentence in a case related to alleged online posts.
In her petition, Imaan Mazari contested the high court’s order dated 19 February 2026, arguing that the court had issued notice on her appeal but failed to grant suspension of her sentence.
She requested the apex court amend the order and suspend the sentence pending a final decision on her appeal. The petition states that the high court’s refusal to suspend the sentence amounted to an unlawful use of discretionary powers.
It further argues that the trial court’s verdict was based on bad faith and was illegal and beyond its jurisdiction. Imaan Mazari also claimed that recording witness statements in her absence constituted a serious violation of legal procedure.
A trial court had earlier sentenced her under provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA), awarding a total of 17 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of 36 million rupees. She is currently being held at Adiala Jail.
In a related development, a bench of the IHC hearing appeals filed by Imann Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in the same case was dissolved earlier this year.
Justice Mohammad Asif referred the matter to Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar for the formation of a new bench, noting that similar cases had previously been heard by another judge.
During earlier hearings, defence counsel Faisal Siddiqui argued that the trial court had delivered its verdict despite a pending petition seeking transfer of the case.
He also told the court that statements of two witnesses were recorded in the absence of the accused, raising concerns about the right to a fair trial.
