ISLAMABAD: Imaan Mazari’s suspension of sentence appeals drew Supreme Court notices to the federal government and other respondents on Tuesday, with the hearing adjourned until July 21.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the appeal. The bench also comprised Justice Mussarat Hilali and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.
The petition seeks the suspension of the sentences awarded to lawyer Imaan Mazari and Barrister Hadi Ali Chattha, pending their appeals before the Islamabad High Court.
Counsel Faisal Siddiqi told the court that an earlier Supreme Court order had directed the IHC to decide the suspension applications within two weeks.
He said the matter was fixed for May 20 and later adjourned to June 4. Siddiqi said the June 4 cause list was cancelled, and the case had not been relisted since.
He also said an early hearing application filed before the IHC was returned without being entertained.
Read: Imaan Mazari, Hadi Chattha Sentence Hearing Set For June 1
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that the Supreme Court ordinarily does not interfere in interim matters pending before high courts.
He noted that the IHC had not even issued notices to the prosecution in the matter.
The court issued notices to the Additional Attorney General and other respondents and adjourned the hearing until July 21.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has also challenged the Supreme Court’s earlier order directing the IHC to decide the applications within a specified timeframe.