Pakistan: Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment
The OIAD strongly condemns the sentencing of Pakistani lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha to ten years’ imprisonment each by an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on 29 October 2026. Their conviction follows several months of successive legal proceedings against the two lawyers, against a backdrop of judicial harassment previously condemned by the OIAD and several international organisations[1] .
Ms Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Mr Hadi Ali Chattha are committed to defending human rights in Pakistan. They represent victims of enforced disappearances, police violence and arbitrary detention, as well as individuals facing prosecution in blasphemy cases. Their work has led them to defend several prominent figures in civil society and to publicly denounce human rights violations attributed to the Pakistani authorities.
The lawyers’ conviction relates to an incident that took place on 25 October 2024 in Islamabad. The two lawyers were accused of moving traffic barriers that had been erected for the visit of an international cricket team. The court found them guilty under anti-terrorism legislation and provisions of the Penal Code relating to obstruction and the use of force against public officials. The heaviest sentence, of ten years’ imprisonment, was handed down for an act of terrorism. The other sentences are to be served concurrently.
According to available information, the judgement itself acknowledges that the removal of the barrier was a routine incident, but nevertheless considers it to constitute a terrorist act due to the security measures surrounding the foreign team. The proceedings were reportedly based solely on police testimony, with no independent witnesses being heard. The two lawyers contested the charges and denounced the proceedings as an attempt to punish them for their work in defending human rights.
At the same time, the two lawyers were charged – whilst appearing via videoconference from their place of detention. They complained that they had not received the documents necessary for their defence and had been unable to meet with their lawyers. They also stated that they had been placed in a cage during the hearings, which allegedly prevented any effective communication with their lawyers or the court. Their lawyers reported persistent difficulties in visiting them in detention and preparing their defence.
This latest conviction is a continuation of proceedings previously denounced by the OIAD and other international organisations. In January 2026, the two lawyers had been sentenced to seventeen years’ imprisonment each under legislation on cybercrimes, for posts on social media[2] . On 17 September 2026, the Supreme Court had suspended these sentences and ordered their release on bail. However, they had been re-arrested a few hours later, in connection with another case relating to a demonstration. The OIAD had then joined several international organisations in condemning this re-arrest and the blatant obstruction of their defence.
The OIAD is particularly concerned about the use of anti-terrorism legislation in a case involving acts whose classification is questionable, as well as the obstacles faced by the two lawyers in preparing their defence. The succession of proceedings and convictions against them risks keeping them in detention for a prolonged period and intimidating lawyers who defend victims of human rights violations in Pakistan.
The Observatory reminds the Republic of Pakistan of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular Article 14.
The Observatory also draws attention to the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which require the authorities to ensure that lawyers are able to carry out their duties without intimidation, hindrance or undue interference, and to protect them against any measures taken as a result of their professional activities.
The Observatory calls on the Pakistani authorities to release Ms Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Mr Hadi Ali Chattha immediately and unconditionally, and to drop the charges brought against them in connection with their legitimate human rights work.
The Observatory urges the Pakistani authorities to respect the rights of the defence and the requirements of a fair trial for Ms Mazari-Hazir and Mr Ali Chattha, in particular their right to communicate freely with their legal advisers and to have the time and resources necessary to prepare their defence.
Finally, the Observatory calls on the Pakistani authorities to conduct independent and impartial investigations into the allegations of ill-treatment made by the two lawyers.
[1] OIAD, “Pakistan: Arbitrary arrest and conviction of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha”, 29 January 2026
[2] Ibid.
