Human Rights Lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha Arrested in Islamabad Despite Protective Bail

Human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested in the federal capital, a development confirmed by Imaan’s mother and former federal minister Shireen Mazari through a post on X. The arrests took place a day after the Islamabad High Court had granted the couple one-day protective bail, restraining authorities from taking them into custody until Tuesday in a case related to controversial social media posts.

The case against the couple originates from August last year, when a complaint was filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. Imaan Mazari is accused of sharing online content allegedly aligned with hostile organisations, while Hadi Ali Chattha is charged with reposting some of the same material. The posts reportedly criticised security forces in connection with missing persons cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and were said to create an impression of state involvement in terrorism. The couple was formally indicted in October two thousand twenty five.

Arrest warrants were issued after the trial court cancelled their bail due to repeated non-appearances, revoked their right to cross-examination, and ordered that they be produced before the court within twenty four hours. During a hearing on Monday, their counsel highlighted Imaan Mazari’s health concerns and urged judicial restraint. The Islamabad High Court granted temporary relief, allowing the couple time to approach the sessions court for further legal remedies.