The Supreme Court has set a strict two-week deadline for the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to resolve the appeals filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and activist Hadi Ali against their recent convictions.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, issued the directive during Tuesday’s hearing. The court made it clear that the High Court must address the merits of the petitioners’ pleas without further delay, effectively putting the ball back in the IHC’s court to resolve the legal challenge.
The case stems from a controversial anti-terrorism conviction handed down earlier this year. Mazari and Ali were sentenced in a case involving alleged interference in state affairs and obstruction of duty during a protest. Their legal team has consistently argued that the trial court proceedings were flawed, citing a lack of due process and an overreach of anti-terrorism laws.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice questioned the status of the pending appeals in the IHC. After being briefed on the timeline, the bench expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the litigation. By mandating a two-week window, the Supreme Court has signaled that the legal uncertainty surrounding the activists’ sentences cannot persist indefinitely.
The petitioners maintain that the charges were politically motivated and intended to intimidate legal advocates. Prosecutors, however, have defended the verdict, insisting that the evidence presented during the trial was sufficient to warrant the conviction.
For Mazari and Ali, the High Court’s upcoming decision carries significant weight. A favorable ruling would clear their records and potentially set a precedent for how similar cases involving public demonstrations are handled in the future.
The IHC is now required to expedite the hearings, ensuring a final verdict is reached before the Supreme Court’s deadline expires. Until then, the legal battle over the validity of the convictions remains the primary focus.
