{"id":187,"date":"2026-01-30T01:47:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T01:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=187"},"modified":"2026-01-30T01:47:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T01:47:20","slug":"jurists-body-and-partner-organisations-condemn-imaan-and-hadis-arbitrary-arrest-conviction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=187","title":{"rendered":"Jurists\u2019 body and partner organisations condemn Imaan and Hadi\u2019s \u2018arbitrary arrest\u2019, conviction"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and its partner organisations on Thursday published <\/a>a joint statement condemning the \u201carbitrary arrest\u201d and conviction of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatta, and called for their release.<\/p>\n

Imaan and Hadi were sentenced <\/a>on January 24 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act\u2019s (Peca) sections 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyberterrorism), and 26-A (false and fake information). They were handed a total of 17 years in jail, with the longest sentence being 10 years, and fined Rs36 million each collectively.<\/p>\n

The joint statement released on Thursday \u2014 signed by the Balochistan Bar Council, the Hyderabad Bar Association, the Karachi Bar Association, the Sindh High Court Bar Association and other global bodies \u2014 condemned the \u201carbitrary arrest and subsequent conviction\u201d of Imaan and Hadi, calling for their immediate release and measures to ensure the conviction was set aside.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBoth lawyers have faced targeted reprisals, including harassment through judicial processes, for their human rights and legal work, as well as for their outspoken advocacy for accountability and the rule of law,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

The statement noted that the couple were arrested while on their way for a hearing in the controversial social media posts case and police used \u201cundue force and failed to produce either an arrest warrant or a first information report (FIR)\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe arrest occurred despite an order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dated January 21, 2026, granting them temporary relief from arrest, reinstating bail, and guaranteeing the right to a complete defence, including cross-examination,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n

It noted that after the IHC issued its order, the police invoked \u201cdormant and backdated\u201d FIRs against Imaan and Hadi. It also noted that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) was \u201ca law widely misused to suppress online expression in Pakistan\u201d and raised concern about due process and the trial\u2019s fairness.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sentencing abruptly concluded proceedings that had been marred by due process violations,\u201d the statement said. \u201cAlthough a transfer application pending before the IHC legally deprived the sessions court of jurisdiction, it nevertheless proceeded to pass judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n

It added that the couple was convicted after a one-minute court appearance, adding that Imaan had stated the couple would be boycotting the trial and also alleged \u201cbeing subjected to torture and citing denial of food and water in detention\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were refused the opportunity to complete cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and had no access to legal counsel while in custody, raising serious concerns about their fair trial rights and physical well-being,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

The statement further said that Imaan and Hadi\u2019s case was \u201cemblematic of a\u00a0broader trend of judicial persecution\u201d to exhaust lawyers\u2019 resources and obstruct them from carrying out their work.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe couple have faced multiple parallel criminal proceedings under anti-terrorism and blasphemy laws, repeated cancellations of bail, and the continued threat of arrest, all compounded by persistent concerns regarding due process violations,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

\u201cRepeated summonses in cases on baseless allegations have severely disrupted their legal practice and violated their human rights, forcing them to appear before multiple courts across the country, reportedly with the intent of diverting their attention from defending vulnerable clients,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n

Moreover, it argued that Peca\u2019s use in the case showed how \u201cauthorities are weaponising the justice system to punish dissent and target legitimate human rights work\u201d.<\/p>\n

The statement called on Pakistan to \u201crespect and uphold its obligations under international law, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cLawyers should be able to perform their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference, and should not be prosecuted for actions taken in accordance with their professional duties or for the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression.\u201d<\/p>\n

The signatories demanded Imaan and Hadi\u2019s unconditional release and measures to set aside the conviction; their safety while in detention and a guarantee of food, water and medical care; an inquiry into the police\u2019s use of force; an end to the misuse of Peca and the anti-terrorism act against lawyers and human rights defenders and the assuarance that they can carry out their work \u201cwithout fear of reprisals, harassment, or undue interference\u201d.<\/p>\n

Separately, the United Nations Human Rights Office said that the conviction and sentencing of the couple \u201cfollowing fair trial concerns is deeply disturbing\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis case highlights the danger of this law being used to suppress dissent.\u00a0 We urge the government to protect and uphold freedom of expression & the right to peaceful assembly in line with Pakistan\u2019s international human rights obligations,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

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