A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Thursday cancelled the bail of lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in a controversial tweet case. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka ordered their arrest and production before the court after revoking the bail.
Read More: SC stays trial of Mazari, spouse in controversial tweet case
The court further terminated the accused’s right to cross-examination and announced that statements under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code would be recorded on Friday. Both Mazari and Chattha were indicted on October 30 in a case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under Sections 9, 10, 11 and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016.
ٹویٹس کے مضحکہ خیز مقدمہ میں جج افضل مجوکا نے ایمان مزاری اور ہادی علی چٹھہ کی ضمانت منسوخ کر دی، دونوں کو گرفتار کر کے کل عدالت میں پیش کرنے کا حکم دیدیا، استغاثہ کے گواہوں پر جرح کا حق بھی ختم کر دیا گیا. کل ملزمان سے دفاع کا بیان طلب کر لیا گیا pic.twitter.com/Yx2Wh11P42
— Adv Abdul Majeed Mahar (@MajeedMahar4) January 15, 2026
During Thursday’s hearing, Imaan failed to appear and her defence counsel sought an exemption from appearance on medical grounds. The judge expressed displeasure and warned that failure to appear would result in forfeiture of the right to cross-examination.
Following a brief adjournment, the couple again failed to appear. Defence counsel argued that Mazari intended to personally cross-examine witness Shehroz at the next hearing, but the court insisted that cross-examination must be completed without further delays.
President Islamabad District Bar Association, Advocate Chaudhry Naeem Gujjar, also appeared and requested that the hearing be postponed until Monday, assuring that no further adjournments would be sought. The request was opposed by Prosecutor Rana Usman, who urged the court to proceed with administering the oath to the witness and begin cross-examination immediately.
Read More: Court frames charges against Imaan, husband in tweet case
A verbal altercation ensued between Gujjar and the prosecutor, prompting the judge to rise from the bench and retire to his chamber. The court’s order concluded with the cancellation of bail and the termination of the accused’s procedural rights for non-appearance.