Controversial Tweets Case: Court Orders Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha to Appear in Person; Pre-Arrest Bail Rejected in Scuffle Case

Islamabad: A district and sessions court in Islamabad has ordered lawyers Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha to appear in person on Wednesday in connection with the controversial tweets case.

The hearing was conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. During the proceedings, neither of the accused appeared before the court, prompting the judge to adjourn the hearing first until 11:30 am and later until 2:30 pm.

During the hearing, Judge Majoka questioned the absence of the accused. The prosecution informed the court that both Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha were deliberately present at the office of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association president. The prosecution requested the issuance of arrest warrants, arguing that despite repeated calls of the case and clear directions from the Islamabad High Court, the accused neither appeared in court nor were their lawyers present.

The court was informed that both accused had obtained pre-arrest bail from the Islamabad High Court in a July 2025 case. However, due to fear of arrest, they reportedly spent a second consecutive night at the High Court Bar president’s office. Heavy police deployment was observed around the Islamabad High Court, with strict checking of vehicles in surrounding parking areas.

Iman Mazari stated that they were not seeking any special treatment and were prepared to surrender voluntarily, but wanted clarity on the total number of cases registered against them.

The court adjourned the hearing until Wednesday and directed Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha to appear in person at 8:30 am. Judge Majoka emphasized that, in line with High Court directions, cross-examination must be completed by January 24.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad rejected the pre-arrest bail applications of Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha in a separate case related to a scuffle outside the Islamabad High Court. Both accused had filed applications for pre-arrest bail but failed to appear before the ATC.

Separately, Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha completed biometric verification to file a protective bail petition at the Islamabad High Court. They were accompanied by their counsel Dr. Babar Awan and Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Wajid Ali Gillani.