Pakistani human rights lawyer arrested over 'controversial' social media posts

Pakistani human rights lawyer Hadi Ali Chatha, husband of prominent activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari, was arrested outside a court in Islamabad on Tuesday following the issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants in a case linked to a controversial social media posts.

The case also involves Mazari.

The warrants were issued by Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka, who ordered the cancellation of Chatha’s surety bonds, citing his failure to submit them.

“He should be arrested and produced before the court tomorrow,” the judge instructed the investigating officer.

In his written order, Judge Majoka said, “Today the case was fixed for framing of charge and prosecution evidence. Hadi Ali Chatha has intentionally not appeared in court. Hence, his bail bonds are forfeited and non-bailable warrants of arrest are issued against him for 30-10-2025.”

Chatha appeared in court shortly after the warrants were announced. He told reporters that the judge had “announced the warrants from his chamber” without holding an open hearing, describing the process as “misconduct.”

Following his arrest, he was taken into custody by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and transferred to their Islamabad station.

Authorities said the posts, shared between 2021 and 2025, were “anti-state” and accused the armed forces of failing to curb militancy, fostering terrorism and committing enforced disappearances in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The case has drawn attention to delays in judicial proceedings, with prosecution team member Muhammad Usman Rana alleging that Chatha and Mazari had attempted to stall the trial. He accused the lawyers of posting tweets “in support of banned outfits” and deliberately hindering the process.

Both Chatha and Mazari face charges under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws over online comments considered offensive by authorities.

The arrest has sparked concern among rights groups, who warn that Pakistan’s cybercrime laws are increasingly used to curb dissent. Critics argue that authorities are conflating freedom of expression with anti-state activity, raising questions about limits on online speech in the country.