A significant development has come to light in the human rights movement in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, where around 400 lawyers signed a joint resolution on Wednesday, demanding an urgent hearing on the applications for suspension of the sentence of renowned human rights lawyer Iman Zainab Mazari Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chatha.
The resolution took the position that the appeals filed against the sentence in the controversial tweets case should be heard as soon as possible so that the demands of justice can be fulfilled.
The lawyers described the matter as very important in the context of constitutional and human rights.
It may be recalled that on January 24, an Islamabad sessions court had sentenced the two lawyers to a total of 17 years in prison on various charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PEC).
The details of the sentences given by the court are as follows:
10 years imprisonment under Section 10 (cyber terrorism)
5 years imprisonment under Section 9 (glorification of crime)
2 years imprisonment under Section 26-A (false and fabricated information)
The decision has sparked strong reactions from human rights organizations, opposition parties and civil society across Pakistan.
Critics say that in such cases, freedom of expression and legal requirements must be taken into account.
According to legal experts, if the court decides to hear the case early, this case could become an important precedent not only for the parties concerned but also for cyber laws and freedom of expression in the country.
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