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The Islamabad High Court has declared admissible the petitions seeking suspension of sentences of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha, who were convicted by a trial court in the controversial tweets case. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan of the Islamabad High Court issued a reserved verdict, rejecting a miscellaneous application filed by the prosecution challenging the admissibility of the petitions. The court had reserved its decision yesterday after hearing arguments from both sides. The prosecution had argued that the petitions for suspension of sentence filed by Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha were premature. It is pertinent to mention that Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka had sentenced both Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha to a total of 17 years in prison each under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Both convicts have approached the Islamabad High Court seeking suspension of their sentences. Earlier, The Islamabad High Court on Friday reserved its decision on whether petitions seeking the suspension of prison sentences awarded to lawyers and human rights activists Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha can proceed. The petitions relate to the couple’s convictions in a case involving alleged controversial social media posts under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The hearing was conducted by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, who considered preliminary arguments from both the prosecution and the defence before reserving his ruling on the maintainability of the petitions. During the proceedings, lawyers representing the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) argued that the requests for suspension of sentence had been filed too early. They maintained that the court should first decide the prosecution’s objection challenging the admissibility of the petitions before considering any request for relief

Women parliamentarians in Balochistan have strongly condemned the killing of a mother and daughter in Nushki. The victims were reportedly killed after militants entered their home. The lawmakers described the incident as deeply tragic. They said the attack was also against Baloch traditions and social values. They expressed concern over the targeting of civilians, especially women. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Balochistan government adviser Meena Majeed said the victims were identified as Bibi Hanifa and Hafsa. She alleged that the two women were killed by militants linked to what the authorities describe as Fitna al-Hindustan. Majeed questioned why the mother and daughter were targeted. She asked what their crime was. She said ordinary Baloch citizens were now facing threats from militants. She also expressed concern about the targeting of women. Majeed said the government and security forces were continuing operations against militants in the province. She assured that those involved in the Nushki attack would be identified and brought before the law. She said the government would continue efforts to protect civilians. Balochistan Assembly Deputy Speaker Ghazala also condemned the incident. She said women parliamentarians would not remain silent over the killing of the mother and daughter. Ghazala stressed that women must be protected everywhere. She said their safety should remain a priority under all circumstances. Provincial Education Minister Raheela Durrani also expressed strong concern over the incident. Durrani questioned the message being sent about Balochistan when women were targeted and killed. She said such incidents damage the image of the province and create fear among local communities. The women lawmakers said violence against civilians could not be tolerated. They called for effective action against those responsible for the killings. They also stressed the need for stronger security measures to protect women and other vulnerable citizens. The lawmakers expressed solidarity with the victims’ families. They said the government and security institutions must ensure that those responsible for the attack face justice.

SUJAWAL:* In a disturbing incident on Wednesday morning, a teacher of Government Boys High School, Begna Mori, within Taluka Jati of District Sujawal, was injured when cement plaster from the staff room fell on him. According to the Senior Head Master of the School, Aziz Allah Dino Khowaja, Junior Elementary School Teacher Fayyaz Zaur was present in the staff room, working on an official assignment, when the roof plaster fell on his head, leaving him critically injured. “As the blood started oozing from his head, we took him to Basic Health Unit Begna Mori for treatment,” said the Senior Head Master, adding that after treatment, the condition of the teacher had become stable. School Teacher Abid Inayat disclosed that the tender for the school’s refurbishment had been passed, and the contractor had demolished a portion of the school comprising three classrooms, but a few months ago he abruptly stopped the renovation work and has been evading resuming work. “Multiple efforts have been made to contact the missing contractor, but he is evading a response,” the teacher said. He further disclosed that the lives of 22 teachers, over a hundred students, and the lower staff had been at stake owing to the ramshackle condition of the building. The school, he said, is one of the schools with high enrollment, and such an incident would leave an adverse effect on the newcomers. The Head Master mentioned that they had approached the District Education Officer (Secondary), Sujawal, and other concerned authorities to ensure the safety of children, but to no avail. He urged the Sindh Minister for Education, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, to take speedy measures for resuming the renovation work of the school and to conduct a thorough probe against the fleeing contractor.