An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan handed down 10-year prison sentences to human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, on October 29, 2026, marking a sharp escalation in state legal actions against civil society advocates. Human Rights Watch reported that the rulings were delivered following proceedings held inside Adiala prison in Rawalpindi.
The case originated from an incident at a road closure in Islamabad in October 2024.
Sentencing and Penalties Under the Anti-Terrorism Act
During the trial, the court sentenced Mazari and Chattha to 10 years in prison each and fined them 100,000 Pakistani rupees each under the anti-terrorism legislation.
Pakistan: Human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha have been behind bars for one month now, simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression. They were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act on 24 January… pic.twitter.com/BssnLSbNm2
The court also added a two-year prison term and a 50,000-rupee fine under Section 353 for obstructing public servants, alongside a one-year term and a 50,000-rupee fine under Section 186. The judge directed that all sentences run concurrently, resulting in a total 10-year imprisonment term for each defendant, as detailed by Geo News.
Defense Objections and Claims of Procedural Irregularities
Defense counsel Aimal Mandokhail sought a postponement of the verdict, arguing that petitions challenging the proceedings remained pending before both the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court. Mandokhail contended that the trial court could not legally deliver a judgment while those applications were still under judicial consideration.
Family members and defense teams raised serious concerns regarding trial fairness. They stated that the lawyers were denied access to key legal documents and prevented from securing legal representation of their choice.
Allegations of State Persecution and Pro Bono Defense Work
In their recorded statements, Mazari and Chattha described the prosecution witnesses as instruments of state persecution.
They argued the proceedings aimed at punishing them for their pro bono legal representation of marginalized populations, including street vendors, victims of enforced disappearances, and individuals facing blasphemy accusations.
A Turbulent Sequence of Detentions and UN Intervention
The legal challenges follow a turbulent sequence of detentions. On September 17, 2026, Pakistan’s Supreme Court suspended the couple’s sentences in a separate case involving social media posts and ordered their release on bail.
Police rearrested them hours afterward.
International Condemnation and Demands for Release
International scrutiny has intensified following the October rulings.
Fifteen international civil society organizations, including the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation Against Torture, issued joint statements demanding the immediate release of the couple.
Human Rights Watch reiterated that the prosecution of human rights advocates under counterterrorism frameworks threatens fundamental freedoms and leaves vulnerable communities without legal defense.
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