Islamabad lawyers to protest sentencing of rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and husband

WEB DESK: Pakistan’s legal community is set to stage protests and observe a strike on Monday following the sentencing of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, fellow lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, to a combined 17 years in prison over social media posts critical of the military.

Members of the Islamabad Bar Association (IBA), Islamabad Bar Council, and Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) announced a day-long strike and rally, condemning the court ruling and the circumstances surrounding the couple’s arrest and trial.

Mazari and Chattha were detained on Friday while en route to a court hearing and were later remanded into judicial custody. Authorities accused the couple of violating the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), alleging their posts on X promoted ethnic discord and linked the military to terrorism. The couple has denied the charges.

In a written ruling issued on Saturday, an additional district and sessions judge found the pair guilty under multiple PECA provisions but cleared them of a separate hate speech allegation.

The IBA has called for a three-day strike from January 26 to 28, citing concerns over alleged police misconduct during the arrest and claims that lawyers were prevented from attending the hearing. The association also criticised the sentencing process, arguing the verdict was delivered without adequately hearing the defendants, and demanded the suspension of the sentence pending review.

A protest rally is scheduled at the district courts in Islamabad’s G-11 sector, while the IHCBA confirmed its members would also observe a strike to decide further action later in the day.

Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) announced a demonstration in Karachi, urging activists, lawyers, and civil society groups to join in defence of free expression and civic space.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar commented on the sentencing in a social media post, suggesting the verdict reflected the consequences of the couple’s actions.

‘Torture’ allegations

Former federal minister Shireen Mazari had alleged that her daughter, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir, and her son-in-law Hadi Ali Chattha were subjected to torture after their arrest on Friday, claiming they were denied basic necessities while in custody. In a post on X, Mazari said the couple had confirmed her fears, alleging they were not being provided food or water and that their fundamental rights as prisoners were being violated. Mazari also criticised the conduct of the presiding judge, alleging that due process and justice were being undermined. Authorities have not yet responded to the allegations.