The Islamabad High Court has dissolved the bench hearing the appeals of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha against their convictions under PECA. The case file has been sent to Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar for constitution of a new bench.
The order noted that a previous bench led by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan had earlier heard related matters, prompting the need for judicial consistency.
During arguments, counsel Riasat Ali Azad highlighted that despite the matter being taken up on February 19, no next date of hearing had been issued—prolonging the proceedings. The court acknowledged this concern.
Both appellants were sentenced to concurrent terms under Sections 9, 10, and 26-A of PECA and had challenged the trial court’s judgment for alleged procedural and legal defects.
