The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has fixed June 1 for hearing the sentence suspension applications filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in connection with a case involving alleged social media posts.

According to a written order issued by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, the hearing was scheduled after a certified copy of a Supreme Court order was submitted to the court.The Supreme Court had earlier directed the IHC to decide within two weeks on the couple’s pleas seeking suspension of their sentences.

The case has seen multiple procedural developments, including the IHC issuing notices to officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on applications seeking early hearing of the suspension petitions.

The court had also previously raised objections over the non-submission of certified copies of the Supreme Court’s order, instructing the defence counsel to follow proper procedure.After compliance, the registrar office issued the cause list for the upcoming hearing.

Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha have been in custody since their arrest in January over allegations related to protests outside the IHC and an incident involving the IHC Bar Association president.

In a separate development, a sessions court sentenced them to 17 years in prison in the social media posts case, which involves charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, including cyber terrorism, glorification of offence, and dissemination of false information.The couple has challenged their conviction and sought suspension of sentences, arguing violations of fair trial rights and due process.Their appeals are also pending before higher courts, making the June 1 hearing a key step in ongoing legal proceedings.