In a verdict that has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s legal and civil society communities, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, fellow lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, were handed a combined 17-year prison sentence by an Islamabad court on Saturday. The conviction stems from controversial social media posts that the prosecution deemed “anti-state” under the country’s stringent cybercrime laws.
The couple, who are vocal critics of the powerful military establishment, were found guilty on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. This ruling immediately ignited protests by lawyers and rights activists, who view the case as a severe crackdown on dissent and a worrying erosion of civil liberties within the country.
Imaan Mazari : Details of the Sentencing and Charges
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka delivered the written order, confirming the prosecution had successfully proven its case. The total 17-year sentence is an accumulation of three separate convictions handed down to both Mazari and Chattha, which are set to run concurrently:
- Ten Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment: Under Section 10 of PECA, related to cyberterrorism. This conviction also carried a hefty fine of Rs30 million each.
- Five Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment: Under Section 9 of PECA, concerning the glorification of an offence. A fine of Rs5 million was also imposed on each individual.
- Two Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment: Under Section 26-A of PECA, related to the dissemination of false and fake information.
The concurrent nature of the sentences means the couple will ultimately serve the longest term, which is ten years.
A Case Grounded in Online Dissent
The foundation of the charges was a complaint filed in August of the previous year by a Sub-inspector, alleging that Imaan Mazari had “consistently disseminated highly offensive, misleading and anti-state contents on social media,” with her husband’s “active connivance.” Court documents specifically cited Mazari for having “disseminated highly offensive” content online.
Throughout the trial, both Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha staunchly maintained their innocence, arguing that the charges were a direct consequence of their professional work. They contended that the legal actions against them stemmed from their persistent criticism of alleged human rights abuses and the practice of enforced disappearances—accusations which the Pakistani military has consistently denied.
The Backdrop: Human Rights Advocacy and Repression
Imaan Mazari-Hazir is widely recognized for her tireless work representing victims of alleged human rights violations, including ethnic Baloch activists and journalists. Her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, is a criminal lawyer known for representing victims of sexual violence and enforced disappearances. Mazari is also the daughter of former Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari.
Speaking defiantly following the conviction, Mazari characterized her imprisonment as part of a broader pattern of repression in Pakistan. “We’re not the first people who will be unlawfully incarcerated in this country,” she told a news agency. She further stressed her readiness to face the consequences of her advocacy, saying, “But we knew that when we got into this work; we’re ready to face that… We will not back down.”
Legal Controversy and Public Condemnation
The swift sentencing has drawn strong condemnation from various quarters, including civil society groups, who have long opposed the broad scope of the PECA law. A fellow lawyer for the couple, Jibran Nasir, challenged the legality of the judgment, stating that the judge lacked jurisdiction to deliver the verdict due to a pending application to transfer the case. Nasir called the trial a “sham,” arguing that the court had ignored the mandatory command of law, rendering the order a “nullity.”
The case has amplified concerns among global rights organizations that the legal system in Pakistan is being weaponized to silence critical voices and shrink the already limited space for dissent.
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