Fifteen international civil society organisations, including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection for Human Rights Defenders, have expressed grave concern regarding the ongoing arbitrary detention of Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha. This detention has persisted since January, continuing even after the Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended their sentences and granted them bail on 17 September 2026, with the order taking effect on 28 September 2026.
Arrests and Procedural Obstructions
The Supreme Court’s intervention came after months of delays in determining applications for sentence suspension stemming from convictions under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). These convictions were linked to social media posts deemed “anti-state.” However, within hours of the court ordering their release, both lawyers were arrested again. This new arrest was connected to an earlier case registered in March 2025 concerning their alleged participation in a protest in Islamabad.
An Anti-Terrorism Court rejected the police request for 30 days’ physical remand, invoking jurisdiction through the addition of an Anti-Terrorism Act section to the First Information Report by Islamabad Police. Instead, the court ordered judicial remand for 14 days. Further obstacles emerged as jail authorities reportedly failed to facilitate the signing of required powers of attorney (POA), preventing the lawyers’ legal counsel from filing bail applications. Consequently, the Anti-Terrorism Court returned the bail petitions.
Legal counsel challenged this non-facilitation, prompting the court to issue notices to jail authorities. During the 24 September hearing, a POA for Hadi Chattha was presented, but the jail deputy contested its validity because the signature did not match the jail authority’s records. Mazari-Hazir’s POA was not processed at all, raising concerns about her whereabouts and well-being. At the subsequent 26 September hearing for Mazari-Hazir, the court issued a contempt notice to jail authorities for their continued failure to sign and attest the necessary documents.
Due Process and International Obligations
The proceedings must be viewed against longstanding allegations of procedural irregularities raised by five UN Human Rights Council experts. Concerns include hearings at unusually short intervals, attempts to impose state-appointed counsel, recording prosecution evidence in the absence of the accused, and impediments to preparing an effective defence. The prosecution under broad provisions relating to cyber terrorism and false information arose from social media expressions on matters of public interest.
Pakistan, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is obligated to respect prohibitions on arbitrary arrest, ensure fair hearing rights, and protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers require governments to ensure lawyers can perform functions without intimidation or hindrance. The use of anti-terrorism legislation to criminalize peaceful assembly and legitimate professional activity violates these standards. The prolonged detention of lawyers for their advocacy creates a chilling effect on the legal profession and undermines the ability of others to represent clients in sensitive cases without fear of retaliation.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
