ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday dismissed a case againstlawyer-activist Imaan Mazar, the daughter of former human rights ministerShireen Mazari, for making derogatory statements against state institutionsand army chief.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the ruling after counsels forMazari and defence ministry submitted their arguments in the case.
Last month, rhe Pakistan Army’s JAG Branch got an FIR registered againstIman Mazari for making ‘defamatory’ remarks about the army chief.
A case was registered at the Ramna Police Station in Islamabad on Fridayunder Section 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
Imaan Mazari made the controversial statements regarding the institution inMay when her mother was arrested by Punjab’s anti-corruption department inan property case.
In the FIR, the complainant said: “The above-named lady abused the seniormilitary leadership of the Pakistan Army. Her derogatory statements arehighly disparaging.”
“Such statements, made with the intent to cause and create unrest and Chaosin the Pakistan Army which is also leading to the punishable offence,” theFIR read.
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During today’s hearing, Imaan Mazari’s lawyer Zainab Janjau said that herclient became part of investigations on court orders despite havingreservations. She also blamed the police for altering the statement of herclient.
The chief justice remarked that Imaan Mazari should not have used suchlanguage against institutions since she is also a lawyer.
The ministry’s lawyer said that Mazari should apologise for her remarks inthe press.
To this, Justice Minallah said that she issued the remarks at that timewhen her mother was detained in the property case.
After hearing the arguments, the IHC CJ accepted Mazari’s plea ofdismissing the case and quashed the FIR filed against her.
