ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad District and Sessions Court on Monday expressed strong displeasure over the failure to arrest Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha in the controversial tweets case, despite clear court orders.
The case was heard by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka, who questioned authorities over the delay in arresting the accused. During the hearing, the judge directed law enforcement to obtain search warrants from a magistrate, arrest both individuals immediately, and present them before the court by 11 am.
The judge made it clear that court orders must be implemented without delay and warned against further non-compliance. Following these directions, the court adjourned the hearing until 11 am.
It is worth noting that during an earlier hearing, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court had cancelled the bail of both Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha in the same case. The court had also issued orders for their arrest and appearance before the court, which have yet to be carried out.
The case revolves around controversial tweets that led to legal action against the accused, and the court’s latest remarks reflect growing frustration over the lack of progress in enforcing its orders.
Moreover, The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted one-day protective bail to lawyer and activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. The relief was given in connection with a case regarding alleged controversial social media posts. The court temporarily stayed their arrest, allowing the couple time to appear before the trial court.
The case has been registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. Authorities allege that Mazari and Chattha shared posts that promoted linguistic divisions and created a negative impression of the armed forces. Justice Azam Khan heard the petition and stayed their arrest until tomorrow, providing the couple a brief reprieve from detention.
Advocate Kamran Murtaza, representing the accused, told the court that their bail had been cancelled twice and that new arrest warrants were issued without due legal process. He argued that the trial court had restricted the couple’s right to defence. He also informed the court that Imaan Mazari is unwell, urging the judiciary to exercise patience and restraint.
Earlier, an Additional District and Sessions Judge had directed law enforcement authorities to obtain search warrants for the arrest of Mazari and Chattha. During proceedings, prosecutors informed the sessions court that the accused had now obtained protective bail from the IHC and were ordered to appear in court the following day. The judge subsequently adjourned the hearing, while directing that the accused be produced within one hour of their appearance in the high court. Requests for further delays were rejected.
The sessions judge also expressed displeasure over the failure of authorities to execute previous arrest warrants. Officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and police were questioned, and the court warned of strict action if reports regarding the arrest were unsatisfactory. On Saturday, the trial court had reissued non-bailable warrants, noting that previous attempts to arrest the couple had failed because they had allegedly avoided capture. Senior officers were instructed to personally oversee the enforcement of these warrants.
The case dates back to August 2025, following a complaint filed at the NCCIA in Islamabad. Mazari was accused of sharing posts that echoed narratives of proscribed militant groups, while Chattha was implicated for reposting and amplifying her content. The FIR also alleged that the couple blamed security forces for cases of missing persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and portrayed the armed forces as ineffective against banned groups,
