Pakistan Cracks Down on Lawyers, Rights Advocate Amid Concerns of Silencing Dissent
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistani authorities have ordered the immediate arrest of lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir and human rights defender Hadi Ali Chattha following the cancellation of their bail, sparking condemnation from international rights groups. The pair face charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, accused of posting “anti-state” content on social media.
The case, which began in August 2025, centers on posts made by Mazari-Hazir on X (formerly Twitter) dating back to 2021, alleging they targeted key Pakistani state institutions. Chattha is accused of sharing and reposting those same posts. Authorities allege the content constitutes “cyber terrorism,” “hate speech,” and the dissemination of “false and fake information.”
“This baseless trial of Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha is a blatant abuse of the justice system,” said Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, in a statement released Tuesday. “Pakistani authorities must end the judicial harassment and coercive tactics used to silence dissent and intimidate those who defend human rights.”
The cancellation of bail and the subsequent arrest order, issued on January 16, 2026, have raised serious concerns about due process. Mazari-Hazir and Chattha had previously petitioned the Islamabad High Court in December, alleging bias and procedural irregularities in the trial. Despite these concerns, the proceedings continued, culminating in the revocation of their bail.
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), enacted in 2016, has been widely criticized by human rights organizations for its vaguely worded provisions that can be used to stifle freedom of expression. According to a 2023 report by Digital Rights Foundation Pakistan, the law has seen a significant increase in its application against journalists, activists, and political opponents. The report documented a 60% rise in cases filed under PECA in the two years following its amendment in 2022.
Chattha was briefly arrested in October 2025 in connection with the case. The arrests come amidst a broader crackdown on dissent in Pakistan, with concerns mounting over the shrinking space for civil society and independent media.
Amnesty International argues the charges against Mazari-Hazir and Chattha are politically motivated and criminalize the exercise of fundamental rights. “The charges have been brought against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights and carrying out their professional duties,” Pant stated. “Authorities must immediately drop all charges against them and rescind the orders for their arrest.”
The international community is watching the case closely. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression has previously expressed concern over the use of cybercrime laws to suppress dissent in Pakistan.
The situation underscores the growing global trend of governments using technology and legal frameworks to restrict freedom of expression and target human rights defenders. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports a record number of journalists imprisoned worldwide in 2023, with many facing charges related to “national security” or “false news.”
Authorities have yet to comment on the specific reasons for cancelling the bail and ordering the arrest. The future of Mazari-Hazir and Chattha remains uncertain, but their case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing human rights defenders in Pakistan and around the world.
