Civil society decries delay in hearing Imaan, Hadi’s pleas

Islamabad: A chorus of veteran journalists and civil society members have voiced deep alarm over the ongoing delay in resolving the applications submitted by advocacy duo Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha. Despite a clear directive from the Supreme Court on May 12, 2026, mandating the Islamabad High Court to rule within two weeks, the case remains stuck in limbo.

The repeated delays, coupled with the duo's continued detention, have sparked fears about the country's ability to swiftly and effectively deliver justice. Notable voices from the media and civil society—including Hussain Naqi, Farhatullah Babar, and Dr Nazir Mahmood—among others, have expressed their concerns. They argue that such procedural slowness raises serious questions about fundamental constitutional rights, such as liberty, due process, and fair trial, as outlined in Articles 4, 9, and 10-A of the Constitution.

The prolonged proceedings, they contend, not only undermine these safeguards but also have a chilling effect on the legal community and independent human rights defenders. The signatories are particularly worried about the potential for legal processes to become self-perpetuating penalties for lawful advocacy. They stress that a robust rule of law hinges not just on the mere existence of legal remedies, but on their accessibility, timeliness, and efficacy.

With the next hearing set for September 17, they are urging the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing and decision-making process to safeguard constitutional guarantees and uphold the principle of timely justice.