24/01/2026
The Human Rights Council of Balochistan strongly condemns the arrest of prominent human rights lawyer and activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, in Islamabad today.
Reports indicate that the couple was detained by police while en route to a scheduled court appearance, allegedly without being presented with a formal FIR at the time of arrest and amid claims of excessive force and non-compliance with due process. This incident raises grave concerns about the erosion of fundamental legal safeguards, including the right to be informed of charges promptly and protection from arbitrary detention.
Such actions represent a serious violation of the rule of law and appear designed to intimidate and silence human rights defenders who courageously advocate for justice, accountability, and freedom of expression.
HRCB demands:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.
- A transparent investigation into the circumstances of their arrest, including any use of force.
- An immediate end to the harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary targeting of human rights defenders, lawyers, and activists across Pakistan