Full Breakdown
International Outcry Over Rearrest of Pakistani Human Rights Lawyers
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Recent Legal Actions
On 17 September 2026 the Islamabad anti-terrorism court rearrested human-rights attorneys Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha on terrorism-related charges, hours after a two-judge Supreme Court bench granted them bail. The court later denied a police request for a 30-day physical remand and ordered a 14-day judicial remand. On 22 September 2026 the same court returned the couple’s bail petitions because the required powers of attorney were not signed. UN special experts issued a statement on 30 September 2026 urging Pakistan to drop all charges and release the lawyers immediately.
Background of the Case
Mazari-Hazir, a 32-year-old lawyer, and her husband have represented victims of enforced disappearances, custodial abuse and high-profile blasphemy cases. They were first arrested in January on accusations stemming from a protest outside the Islamabad High Court. A sessions court sentenced them to a combined 17 years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, including ten years for “cyber terrorism” and additional terms for “glorification of an offense” and “disseminating false information.” The Supreme Court suspended those convictions and granted bail on 17 September 2026, pending a final decision by the Islamabad High Court.
International and UN Responses
Fifteen international rights organizations issued a joint statement, demanding the couple’s immediate release and insisting that any detention have a clear legal basis subject to independent judicial scrutiny. The organizations highlighted the risk to lawyers defending religious minorities, noting that Mazari-Hazir and Chattha have represented defendants in blasphemy cases often linked to extortion or personal enmity. UN experts, including special rapporteurs on the independence of judges and lawyers, warned that the prosecutions appear to use vague counter-terrorism provisions to intimidate human-rights advocacy.
Concerns About the Legal Process
The anti-terrorism case alleges participation in an unlawful assembly in March 2025, but the original First Information Report (FIR) did not cite any Anti-Terrorism Act provision; Section 7 was reportedly added later by hand. Critics argue that invoking an older case immediately after bail constitutes punishment for freedom of expression. The couple’s bail bonds were set at 200,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately US $720) each.
Unresolved Issues
Pakistani authorities have not disclosed the factual or legal basis for the rearrest, and the Supreme Court’s final decision on the appeals remains pending. International observers continue to call for full fair-trial guarantees, access to counsel, medical care, and protection against ill-treatment while the lawyers remain in detention.