Islamabad, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Fifteen international civil society organisations, including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), have called for the immediate release of Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha.
In a joint statement, the organisations expressed concern over the continued detention of the couple since January, despite the Supreme Court suspending their sentences and granting them bail.
The groups urged Pakistani authorities to immediately release Mazari-Hazir and Chattha and ensure that any continued deprivation of liberty has a clear legal basis and is subject to independent judicial scrutiny.
They also called for charges based on the exercise of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, human rights advocacy and the lawyers’ professional duties to be dropped. The organisations sought disclosure of the factual and legal basis for their re-arrest and scrutiny of the use of anti-terrorism legislation in the latest proceedings.
The statement called for full fair-trial guarantees, including access to lawyers of their choice, adequate time and facilities to prepare their defence, physical presence during proceedings, the ability to challenge prosecution evidence and reasoned judicial orders.
The organisations also urged authorities to protect the couple’s safety and dignity during detention, including confidential access to legal counsel, appropriate medical care, contact with family members and protection against torture or other ill-treatment.
They further called for an end to what they described as reprisals, intimidation or persecution through judicial processes against Mazari-Hazir, Chattha and other lawyers and human rights defenders for carrying out legitimate professional activities.
The groups also urged Pakistan to review the use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and anti-terrorism legislation against journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders and peaceful critics, and bring domestic laws and enforcement practices in line with the country’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organisations said lawyers should be able to work independently and safely, including representing unpopular or politically sensitive clients, without being associated with their clients’ causes or facing retaliation.
Mazari-Hazir and Chattha were arrested again and sent to judicial custody by an Islamabad anti-terrorism court hours after the Supreme Court granted them bail on September 17 in a case concerning controversial social media posts.
According to the source material, the Supreme Court bench also questioned the conduct of the Islamabad High Court, observing that it was unusual for the High Court to refer to the apex court’s May 12 order without following it.
The couple were initially arrested on January 23, after which the anti-terrorism court sent them to 14 days’ judicial remand. On January 24, the District and Sessions Court sentenced both to 17 years in prison and imposed a fine of PKR 36 million each in a case linked to social media posts.
They challenged their convictions before the Islamabad High Court and subsequently sought suspension of their sentences. With the matter pending before the High Court, they approached the Supreme Court seeking relief.
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