Imaan Mazari moves Supreme Court for sentence relief

Imaan Mazari has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan seeking suspension of her 17-year sentence in a case related to alleged “anti-state” social media posts. The petition comes after the Islamabad High Court did not fix her plea for hearing.

Filed through lawyer Faisal Siddiqi, the petition argues that the trial court’s verdict was unlawful and violated constitutional safeguards, including due process and the right to a fair trial under Articles 10 and 10A. It also alleges breaches of multiple provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Mazari’s plea states that she was denied her right to counsel of choice and the opportunity for cross-examination. It further claims that her statement was recorded without consent and that a state-appointed lawyer was imposed against her wishes. The petition also challenges the admissibility of evidence used in the case, including reports that allegedly failed to establish offences under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.

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According to the filing, the IHC issued notices on her suspension application in February but did not grant interim relief or set a hearing date. Subsequent requests for early hearing were also not entertained, with one application reportedly returned on administrative grounds.

Mazari’s legal team has termed these developments a denial of justice, arguing that the delay has prolonged her incarceration without proper judicial review.

The case will now be subject to the apex court’s internal process. If admitted, a committee headed by the Chief Justice will decide whether the petition should be taken up for hearing. The outcome could have broader implications for due process and digital speech-related cases in Pakistan.