F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to decide the petitions, filed by human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, seeking suspension of their prison sentences in controversial tweets case, within two weeks.
A three-member bench, comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shafi Siddiqui, in its order said that the case would remain pending in the apex court until the IHC decided these petitions.
Speaking during the hearing, Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for Imaan and Hadi, said that the high court had not heard the pleas for the last more than two months. “The IHC has no relief to offer to my clients,” he added.
Justice Afghan reminded that the IHC had not given an order against the couple either. “The court has not rejected these petitions,” the judge remarked.
Justice Shahid Waheed said, “The bench makes an observation that the court decides the petitions within two weeks.”
Siddiqui appealed to the SC to order the IHC to give verdict on these pleas.
Justice Afghan asked, “What are the parameters for the suspension of a sentence? When is a sentence suspended?”
On May 7, the SC had said it would hear pleas filed by the couple, seeking suspension of their sentences, on May 12 (today).
