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Legal proceedings against Pakistani human rights lawyers

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-25 12:15 UTC → 2026-10-10 17:35 UTC · added removed

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. Concerns were also raised regarding Mazari-Hazir’s declining health during detention. Following significant delays in the Islamabad High Court, the Supreme Court of Pakistan intervened by suspending the trial court’s decision. A Supreme Court bench, including Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan decision and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, granted granting bail to both Mazari and Chattha at Rs 200,000 each, while rebuking the Islamabad High Court for failing to comply with orders to decide sentence-suspension applications. However, on September 17, 2026, hours after being granted bail, Mazari and Chattha were 2026. However, the couple was immediately re-arrested by authorities while release paperwork was being processed. They were taken back into custody at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi facing new anti-terrorism charges stemming from a March 2025 protest protest. On September 29, 2026, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad. Prosecutors allege Islamabad dropped contempt proceedings against Adiala Jail officials after the couple chanted anti-government slogans and blocked a public road. An anti-terrorism judge has since remanded them to required powers of attorney for the lawyers were signed. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra directed the jail superintendent to establish clear rules for 14 days. Amnesty International signing such documents to ensure access to legal representation. The court scheduled October 6 for the indictment of Mazari and Human Rights Watch have condemned Chattha regarding allegations of protocol violations and violence against police. On October 10, 2026, the re-arrest as ATC rejected a “politically motivated attempt plea to weaponize drop terrorism charges against the legal system.” On September 25, 2026, couple in a separate case involving an anti-terrorism court alleged security breach and interference in Islamabad ordered the state affairs during an international cricket team’s arrival in October 2024. Defense lawyers boycotted the hearing, objecting to appear the trial being held via video link after Adiala Jail authorities failed to produce them in court despite previous instructions. link.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-10 17:35 UTC Legal proceedings against Pakistani human rights lawyers
  2. 2026-09-25 12:15 UTC Legal proceedings against Pakistani human rights lawyers
  3. 2026-09-21 04:28 UTC Legal proceedings against Pakistani human rights lawyers
  4. 2026-09-17 10:12 UTC Legal proceedings against Pakistani human rights lawyers

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