Security breach case: SC disposes of Imaan Mazari, husband’s petition as infructuous

The Supreme Court recently dismissed a petition filed by Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, deeming it unsuccessful. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been instructed to rule on the couple's petition regarding a security breach case. In October 29, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad sentenced Imaan and Hadi to ten years each in prison for disrupting an international cricket team's security route and inciting public unrest.

The Supreme Court bench led by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar addressed the case, noting that the matter became unfruitful following the trial's conclusion and the couple's conviction. Consequently, the IHC has been tasked with making a decision on the petition. The lawyers were in custody during the trial in 2024. They were indicted on October 7 for removing barriers from the route and faced charges under three separate legal provisions.

These charges included ten years along with a fine of Rs100,000 each under Section 7 (h) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, under Section 6 (2) (m) for serious coercion or intimidation of a public servant; one year and Rs50,000 each under Section 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions; and two years each under Section 353 of the PPC for assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty. The sentences will be served concurrently, as per the court's judgment.