Islamabad, Jan 23:
The Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the arrest of prominent human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chatta, terming the action a grave violation of constitutional guarantees, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
The condemnation came after the activist lawyer couple was reportedly arrested in Islamabad while en route to the district courts. Both Imaan and Hadi were indicted by an Islamabad court in October last year in connection with a case linked to alleged controversial social media posts.
In a strongly worded statement, the HRC of Pakistan described the arrests as “a direct attack on constitutional rights, civil liberties, and the professional independence of lawyers.” The rights body said such actions are unacceptable in any democratic society and reflect a dangerous trend where fundamental rights are being violated rather than protected.
The HRC demanded the immediate and unconditional release of both lawyers and called for an end to what it described as “illegal and vindictive” proceedings against them. “Respect for the Constitution of Pakistan, the rule of law, and international human rights principles is a fundamental responsibility of the state and cannot be compromised under any political or administrative expediency,” the statement added.
The arrests triggered widespread condemnation from journalists, parliamentarians, and human rights organisations across the country. Leader of the Opposition in the Pakistani Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, said the arrests highlighted a troubling pattern of state overreach and procedural irregularities that undermine the principles of fair trial and due process guaranteed under Pakistani law and international conventions. He demanded that the lawyers be presented before a court for bail and allowed to defend themselves freely.
Former senator Afrasiab Khattak also criticised the arrests, calling them a “brazen attack” on human rights and the justice system, noting that both lawyers have been actively defending victims of rights violations.
Another rights organisation, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), said the arrests reflect a state strategy based on intimidation rather than law, warning that silencing lawyers and activists poses a serious threat to due process and fundamental freedoms in Pakistan.
