Pakistani rights lawyers appeal cybercrime convictions as court extends remand

Prominent Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chatha, have appealed their convictions under Pakistan’s cybercrime law, arguing the cases are retaliation for their work challenging alleged abuses in blasphemy prosecutions, as a separate anti-terrorism court extended their judicial remand on Saturday.

The couple was sentenced on Jan. 24, 2026, to 17 years of rigorous imprisonment each, along with fines totalling 36 million rupees ($129,000), by an additional sessions judge of a Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) court, according to appeal petitions filed with the Islamabad High Court.

Under the ruling, Mazari and Chatha received five years in prison and a 5 million rupee fine for glorification of an offence, 10 years and a 30 million rupee fine for cyber terrorism, and two years with a 1 million rupee fine for spreading false or fake information, under Sections 9, 10 and 26-A of PECA, 2016. They have also challenged a subsequent court order dated Jan. 27, 2026.

Mazari, a lawyer known for representing victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, custodial torture, sexual violence and individuals accused of blasphemy, has described the verdict as a denial of due process and an attempt to silence her professional work. She was awarded the WEXFO Young Inspiration Award 2025 for her legal advocacy and contribution to the rule of law.

Chatha, who began his legal career with the Asma Jahangir Legal Aid Cell and later worked with Justice Project Pakistan on death row cases, has represented more than a dozen individuals he says were falsely accused under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

The couple say the cybercrime cases stem from FIR No. 234/2025, registered on Aug. 22, 2025, following their joint efforts to highlight what they allege is the systematic misuse of blasphemy laws. They claim this includes collusion between a private group and officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to fabricate cases against more than 400 young and economically vulnerable individuals.

Their appeal references a Special Branch report from January 2024 that documented alleged extortion motives linked to the network, as well as findings by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), which cited irregularities including arrests carried out by private individuals, allegations of torture, and coerced confessions.

Mazari and Chatha had previously filed writ petitions before the Islamabad High Court seeking the formation of a high-powered commission to investigate the alleged nexus. In a related order dated Jan. 31, 2025, the court advised the federal government to examine claims of blasphemy law misuse by a particular group.

In their appeal, the lawyers argue that PECA, enacted to combat cybercrime, has increasingly been used to curb freedom of expression, particularly against journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders critical of state actions. They contend the convictions are unsupported by credible evidence and form part of a broader pattern of intimidation against advocates working with marginalized communities.

Anti-terrorism court proceedings

Separately, proceedings continued on Saturday at an Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), presided over by Judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain, where police did not physically present Mazari and Chatha despite the completion of their earlier judicial remand. Authorities cited security concerns for their absence.

The couple faces additional charges including scuffle, violence against police and other offences under the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act, linked to a lawyers’ protest at Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue.

The ATC extended their judicial remand by a further 14 days, directed that Mazari be produced via video link at the next hearing, and adjourned proceedings until Feb. 19.

Mazari and Chatha are represented in their PECA appeal by Supreme Court advocates Faisal Siddique and Muhammad Jibran Nasir. International observers, including United Nations experts and global rights organizations, have voiced concern over the cases, raising questions about fair trial standards and the use of security and cybercrime laws against human rights defenders.