Witness accounts emerge; politicians, journalists condemn arrest of Imaan, Hadi

Lawyer and rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, were arrested on Friday in Islamabad while reportedly heading to the district courts, drawing immediate and strong condemnation from journalists, parliamentarians and the legal community who called for their protection and a fair trial.

They were subsequently sent on a 14-day judicial remand by an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad.

Read: Imaan, Hadi arrested, whereabouts undisclosed: Shireen Mazari

‘Growing insecurity’

Lawyer Mirza Moiz Baig said the arrests reflected what he described as the state’s “growing insecurity”, warning that a “string of malicious cases” against the two was aimed at silencing dissent.

He said the action was “calculated to have a chilling effect” on those defending human rights and representing marginalised communities, adding that the couple’s criticism of the judiciary following recent amendments may also explain why they did not receive judicial relief.

Commenting on the likely timeline for the couple’s release, Baig said it was “unlikely” in the immediate term, adding that unless the Islamabad High Court quashed the case against them, the couple could remain in custody for “at least a week or ten days”.

‘Contempt for any semblance of the rule of law’

Barrister Asad Rahim Khan said the couple were “bar none, at the forefront of the defence of human rights in this country” and their courage was “exemplary”.

He added that to “mount an arrest like this shows this regime’s contempt for any semblance of the rule of law”.

He said that each bar in each city and province “must make common cause for their immediate release”.

‘Motivated and manufactured’

Civil rights practitioner Asad Jamal said that on the basis of information available, it could be “safely stated that these cases against Imaan and Hadi are motivated and manufactured”.

He said the provincial and federal governments had “weaponised” the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) as well as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

“The same way, I think, the powerful quarters of the Pakistani state have decided to set an example of Imaan and Hadi by keeping them behind bars for months and even for years. I’m not imagining because this kind predatory conduct of state institutions and governments of the day is nothing new.”

‘Broader context of political victimisation’

Lawyer and civil rights activist Jibran Nasir condemned the arrests, saying, “The witch-hunt of Advocates Imaan and Hadi proves that there is no tolerance for expressions of solidarity with Baloch voices.”

He added, “It must also be understood within the broader context of political victimisation — most notably the imprisonment and treatment of Imran Khan, using Peca against journalists, the endless incarceration of Ali Wazir, military trials of civilians and violent crackdown on protests whether for PTI leadership, Baloch rights or to show support for Gaza.”

Nasir further criticised the judiciary, stating, “None of this can be separated from the connivance, silence, and compliance of the superior judiciary, which has surrendered its public duty for personal comfort and safety.”

Critcising the establishment, he concluded, “Having robbed elections and lost all legitimacy to govern, the regime’s insecurities compel it to crush dissent with brute force. This is not the conduct of a self-assured state, but of one that constantly deceives itself by enforcing the silence of the oppressed.”

‘Judiciary fails again’

Journalist Mariana Baabar said that the judiciary “tramples its own laws” by not producing first information reports (FIRs), saying that Hadi and Imaan were “prepared” and “unafraid”.

Former senator Mushahid Hussain said the arrests were a “travesty of law and all norms of justice!”

He added that the rule of law must prevail and both should be released immediately.

Former MNA Bushra Gohar similarly condemned the arrest, adding that “speaking up for human rights and standing against oppression isn’t a crime.”

Barrister Khadija Siddiqi termed the incident an “abhorrent state of affairs”.

Journalist Ahmad Noorani described the incident as “highly condemnable,” while senior journalist Hamid Mir said the arrest would “make this couple more powerful and more respectable”.

Barrister Ahmed, who is a former president of the Sindh High Court Bar Association, said the persecution of the couple for advocating causes of the oppressed was a matter of shame for the government, institutions and judges.

“The bar, having largely acquiesced to the demolition of the judiciary, now seems helpless. It must stand up!” he said in a post on X.

Human rights reporter Alifya Sohail also condemned the arrest, saying the authorities had shown “brutality” that was “still unnerving.”

She described how Mazari was “grabbed by the neck and shalwar by masked men twice her size”, pulled out of an Islamabad High Court Bar Association van, and dragged away in full view of the bar president and secretary while en route to the Islamabad District Courts.

Sohail added, “Each detail is more lawless than the last. There are no red lines left.”