The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to lawyer and rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in the controversial social media posts case. The court also suspended their prison sentences while their applications remain pending before the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The development came on September 17, 2026, when a two-member Supreme Court bench heard the couple’s appeals. The bench was headed by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and also included Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim.
The Supreme Court’s decision provides temporary relief to Imaan and Hadi, who have been in custody after being convicted in a case related to posts shared on social media platform X. Their release on bail will remain linked to the final decision of the Islamabad High Court on their petitions seeking suspension of their sentences.
Supreme Court Suspends Prison Sentences
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were sentenced by an Islamabad sessions court in January 2026. The court handed them a combined 17-year prison sentence in the social media posts case.
According to reports, the sentences were awarded under different sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The prosecution had alleged that some of their social media posts violated cybercrime laws and promoted an anti-state narrative.
The couple rejected the allegations and challenged their convictions before the Islamabad High Court. Their legal battle later reached the Supreme Court after the IHC did not suspend their sentences.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court suspended the sentences and granted bail to both lawyers. Reports said the court ordered their release against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each.
The ruling does not mean that the underlying case has been finally decided. The matter concerning their convictions and sentence suspension remains before the Islamabad High Court.
Case Linked to Social Media Posts
The case against Imaan and Hadi was registered in August 2025 in connection with posts shared on X.
According to Amnesty International, authorities alleged that Imaan had posted material between 2021 and April 2025 that targeted state institutions. Hadi was also accused in the case over sharing or reposting some of Imaan’s posts.
The charges included provisions relating to cyber terrorism, glorification of an offence and false or fake information.
The prosecution maintained that the posts were serious enough to fall under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws. The defence, meanwhile, challenged the proceedings and the convictions.
The case became closely watched because both accused are lawyers and have been involved in rights-related legal work.
January Conviction
The Islamabad sessions court convicted Imaan and Hadi in January 2026 and awarded them 17 years in prison.
Reports on the case said the sentences included 10 years under the cyber terrorism provision, five years for glorification of an offence and two years under the provision dealing with false and fake information.
The prosecution had alleged that the social media material could contribute to divisions and promote narratives against state institutions.
The defence disputed the allegations and challenged the conviction before the Islamabad High Court.
The couple’s legal team argued that their sentence should be suspended while their appeals were being considered. However, the process at the high court continued for several months without a final decision.
IHC Proceedings Continued for Months
The Islamabad High Court has been dealing with the petitions filed by Imaan and Hadi seeking suspension of their sentences.
In July 2026, the IHC declared their petitions admissible after rejecting an objection from the prosecution. This allowed the applications to move forward for a hearing on their merits.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the Islamabad High Court to decide the sentence suspension applications within a specific period.
However, the proceedings continued to face delays.
On September 9, the IHC adjourned the hearing until September 23 after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) prosecutor was unavailable. As a result, no major progress could be made on the applications on that date.
The repeated delays became an important issue during the latest Supreme Court hearing.
Supreme Court Questions Delays
During Thursday’s hearing, the defence drew the Supreme Court’s attention to the delays in the Islamabad High Court.
According to reports, lawyer Faisal Siddiqui told the Supreme Court that the apex court had earlier directed the IHC to decide the applications within two weeks. He also pointed out that several hearings had taken place without a final decision.
The issue of repeated adjournments was discussed by the bench.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan questioned why the matter had continued for so long without a final decision. The court also noted that the delays were affecting the proceedings before the Supreme Court.
The prosecution opposed the bail request. Additional Attorney General Rana Asad argued that the Islamabad High Court had not yet issued a final decision on the matter and that the prosecution should be given an opportunity to present its position before the high court.
Despite the prosecution’s opposition, the Supreme Court granted bail to Imaan and Hadi while suspending their sentences.
Court Reminds Lawyers About Decorum
The Supreme Court also discussed courtroom conduct during the hearing.
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan said that both Imaan and Hadi are lawyers and that the court was respecting their professional status. At the same time, he asked their counsel to remind them to observe the decorum of the court.
The judge’s comments came during the hearing of their applications for suspension of sentence and bail.
The court’s remarks showed that while the bench was considering their request for relief, it also expected proper conduct during legal proceedings.
Imaan and Hadi Were Arrested in January
The couple has remained in custody since January after their arrest in connection with another case.
According to reports, Imaan and Hadi were arrested on January 23 while travelling towards the district courts. Their arrest came around the time their bail had been cancelled in the social media posts case.
The two had earlier been facing proceedings related to the controversial social media posts. Their arrest and subsequent imprisonment attracted attention from lawyers, rights groups and other sections of civil society.
The case also involved a separate dispute related to proceedings at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association.
Their arrest led to criticism from several rights organisations, which raised concerns about their legal proceedings and treatment.
Amnesty International Raises Concerns
Amnesty International has also commented on the case.
In February 2026, the organisation said Imaan and Hadi had been sentenced under cybercrime provisions over social media posts. It called for their release and raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings.
In another statement, Amnesty said the case had been registered over posts that authorities considered offensive or harmful to state institutions. The organisation described the charges as part of a wider concern about freedom of expression and the treatment of human rights lawyers.
These are Amnesty International’s views on the case and should be distinguished from the positions taken by Pakistani authorities and the prosecution.
The government and prosecution have maintained their own legal position in the proceedings, while the courts have continued to hear arguments from both sides.
What the Supreme Court Decision Means
The latest Supreme Court order gives Imaan and Hadi temporary relief from imprisonment.
However, the decision should not be understood as a final end to the case.
The Supreme Court has suspended their sentences and granted bail while the Islamabad High Court considers their applications. The IHC will still have to decide the petitions concerning suspension of the sentences.
This means the legal process is continuing.
If the IHC decides the matter in their favour, it could provide further relief. If the court reaches a different conclusion, the couple could continue to challenge the decision through available legal channels.
For now, the Supreme Court order allows them to seek release on bail while the proceedings continue.
Why the Case Has Received Attention
The case has attracted considerable attention because it involves two lawyers who have worked on human rights and other sensitive legal matters.
It also raises wider questions about the use of cybercrime laws in cases involving social media posts.
The prosecution says the material involved in the case violated relevant provisions of PECA. The defence has challenged the allegations and the conviction.
Rights organisations have focused on freedom of expression and fair-trial concerns.
These different positions have remained part of the legal and public debate surrounding the case.
The courts, meanwhile, are dealing with the matter through the judicial process.
Legal Battle Is Not Over
Although the Supreme Court decision is an important development for Imaan and Hadi, their legal battle is not yet over.
The Islamabad High Court is still required to decide their petitions regarding suspension of the sentences. The court had most recently fixed further proceedings for September 23, although the schedule could change depending on developments in the case.
The Supreme Court’s latest order means that the couple can seek release on bail while waiting for the high court’s decision.
Their lawyers will continue to argue against the convictions, while the prosecution will have an opportunity to defend the case.
The final outcome will depend on the decisions of the courts hearing the matter.
Relief After Months in Custody
For Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, the Supreme Court’s decision marks a major change after months in custody.
The couple had challenged their conviction and sought suspension of their sentences through the courts. Their applications faced several hearings and delays before the Supreme Court intervened and granted temporary relief.
The court’s decision does not settle all questions surrounding the case, but it allows the two lawyers to seek release while their legal challenge continues.
Their case remains before the Islamabad High Court, where the suspension of sentence applications are still pending.
The next stage of the legal proceedings will therefore be closely watched as the IHC considers the couple’s petitions.
For now, the Supreme Court has suspended the 17-year sentences and granted bail to Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha against surety bonds, providing them relief until the high court reaches its final decision on their sentence suspension pleas.
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