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5 clusters · 18 sources · 32 days · First seen · Last updated
Legal proceedings against Pakistani human rights lawyers
Overview
Human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested in January 2026 and subsequently sentenced to 10 and 17 years in prison, respectively, by an Islamabad district court. The convictions were issued under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) following allegations of cyber terrorism and spreading false information via social media posts that criticized military policies and expressed solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun activists. Amnesty International and other advocates criticized the proceedings, describing the trial as being conducted with “unusual haste” and noting that the defendants were denied the ability to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses. Following significant delays in the Islamabad High Court, the Supreme Court of Pakistan intervened by suspending the trial court’s decision and granting bail to both Mazari and Chattha on September 17, 2026. However, the couple was immediately re-arrested by authorities while release paperwork was being processed. They were taken into custody at Adiala Jail facing new anti-terrorism charges stemming from a March 2025 protest. On September 29, 2026, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad dropped contempt proceedings against Adiala Jail officials after the required powers of attorney for the lawyers were signed. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra directed the jail superintendent to establish clear rules for signing such documents to ensure access to legal representation. The court scheduled October 6 for the indictment of Mazari and Chattha regarding allegations of protocol violations and violence against police. On October 10, 2026, the ATC rejected a plea to drop terrorism charges against the couple in a separate case involving an alleged security breach and interference in state affairs during an international cricket team’s arrival in October 2024. Defense lawyers boycotted the hearing, objecting to the trial being held via video link.
Entities
Hadi Ali Chattha · Imaan Mazari · Islamabad High Court · Adiala Jail · Pakistan
Timeline
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesIslamabad court rejects plea to drop terrorism charges against Imaan Mazari
An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court rejected a plea to drop terrorism charges against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in a case involving a security breach during a cricket team's visit.
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[POLITICS] 3 sourcesIslamabad court sets indictment date for Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha
An Islamabad anti-terrorism court dropped contempt charges against Adiala Jail officials and set October 6 for the indictment of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha in a police violence case.
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[POLITICS] 5 sourcesIslamabad court orders video appearance for lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha
An Islamabad anti-terrorism court ordered lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to appear via video link following disputes over their detention and legal representation at Adiala Jail.
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[POLITICS] 8 sourcesSupreme Court of Pakistan grants bail to Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha
The Supreme Court of Pakistan granted bail to Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, rebuking the Islamabad High Court for repeated delays in hearing their case regarding social media posts.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesAmnesty International demands release of Pakistani human rights lawyers
Amnesty International is demanding the release of Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, who received lengthy prison sentences over social media posts.
Sources
abbtakk.tv · amnesty.be · bhaskarlive.in · christiandaily.com · dailymeezan.com · desitalkchicago.com · forum-asia.org · hrw.org · islamabadpost.com.pk · lhrtimes.com · nayadaur.tv · pakistantimes.com · socialnews.xyz · southasianrights.org · thecurrent.pk · thefinancialdaily.com · thefrontierpost.com · yespunjab.com
This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history