Imaan and Hadi handed jail sentence in controversial social media posts case

ISLAMABAD: A sessions court on Saturday sentenced lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse Hadi Ali Chattha to a total of 17 years in prison on multiple charges in a case pertaining to social media posts.

Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka announced the brief verdict in court, awarding 17-year prison terms to both Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha.

During the hearing, Special Prosecutors Barrister Fahad and Rana Usman were present in the courtroom, while no lawyers appeared on behalf of the accused.

The judge also issued a 22-page written order, stating that under Section 9 of the PECA Act, both defendants were sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of PKR 5 million.

Under Section 10, they were given 10 years imprisonment and PKR 30 million fine, and under Section 26A, 2 years imprisonment and PKR 1 million fine.

In total, both defendants received 17-year prison sentences and a combined fine of PKR 30.6 million, while under Section 11 of PECA, they were acquitted of certain charges.