The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has approached the Supreme Court seeking withdrawal of its May 12 order that directed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to decide within two weeks the sentence suspension applications of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.

The couple, who were convicted in January 2026 in a case linked to controversial social media posts, are serving a combined 17-year sentence under provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).Their appeals against conviction and applications for suspension of sentence have been pending before the IHC since February.

In its petition, the NCCIA argued that the Supreme Court should not have intervened in a matter already pending before the high court at an interlocutory stage.

According to the agency, the couple failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that justified Supreme Court intervention and their appeal under Article 185(3) of the Constitution was not maintainable because the IHC had merely issued notices rather than a final judgment or order.

The NCCIA further contended that the Supreme Court's direction could create an impression of preferential treatment because the petitioners are members of the legal fraternity.Meanwhile, the IHC hearing on the sentence suspension pleas was again postponed after two members of the prosecution team failed to appear.Justice Muhammad Azam Khan expressed concern over the delay and reminded the parties of the Supreme Court's earlier directions.The hearing has now been fixed for June 4.

The case originates from allegations that Imaan Mazari disseminated online content supporting narratives associated with banned organisations, while Hadi Chattha allegedly reposted some of the material.

Rights groups, journalists and political figures have previously criticised the arrests and stressed the importance of ensuring a fair trial and due process.