Imaan Mazari, a 32-year-old human rights lawyer known for taking on Pakistan's most sensitive and controversial cases, was sentenced to 10 years in prison alongside her husband, fellow lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, after an Islamabad court found social media posts to be "anti-state." The couple were arrested as they travelled to a hearing the day before the sentencing.
Sentencing and Charges
On Saturday the court ruled that Mazari had "disseminated highly offensive" material, handing both her and Chattha decade-long terms. The legal actions against her have included allegations of "cyber terrorism" and "hate speech," reflecting a widening list of charges as her public profile grew.
Legal Work and High-Profile Cases
Working largely pro bono, Mazari built a reputation by defending ethnic minorities, journalists facing defamation charges, people accused of blasphemy and Afghan nationals who say they face crackdowns. She has represented victims of enforced disappearances from Baloch communities and prominent activists such as Mahrang Baloch.
Family Background and Public Reaction
Mazari is the daughter of former human rights minister Shireen Mazari; her late father was a leading paediatrician. Her mother told AFP the family has struggled under threats tied to Mazari’s defence of the "dispossessed and marginalised," a cause that, she said, makes the family proud despite the consequences.
"Truth seems overwhelmingly difficult in this country... But we knew that when we got into this work, we're ready to face that. We will not back down," Mazari told the court.
International Response and Awards
In 2025 Mazari received the Young Inspiration Award from the World Expression Forum for her "extraordinary courage, integrity, and impact in the struggle for the rule of law and justice." The same year, the UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders said the cases against her "appear to reflect an arbitrary use of the legal system to harass and intimidate."
In January 2026 Pakistan's military spokesman, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, publicly highlighted one of Mazari's posts while alleging the need to counter "hidden elements committing subtle crimes," accusing some critics of operating "under the guise of democracy and human rights to promote terrorism."
What This Means and Mazari's Response
Mazari’s supporters say the case reflects a broader trend toward tighter state control and curtailed civil liberties following rapid legal and constitutional changes in Pakistan. Colleagues and clients describe her as a persistent challenge to state power because she represents many who are on the receiving end of state actions.
Despite the sentence and public targeting, Mazari pledged to continue her legal and human rights work. "We're not the first people who will be unlawfully incarcerated in this country. We will keep fighting," she told AFP.
