Pakistan arrests rights lawyers Mazari, Chattha as they head to court to surrender

Prominent human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested Friday in Pakistan’s capital as they stepped out of the Islamabad High Court Bar premises to surrender before a trial court.

The arrests came after the two spent three days and nights inside the bar premises of the Islamabad High Court, where they had taken refuge earlier this week following police action in multiple cases against them.

According to legal sources, Mazari and Chattha decided on Friday to appear before the relevant trial court to formally surrender and seek legal remedy. As they left the bar premises and headed toward the court, law enforcement officials took them into custody.

The move sparked immediate backlash from the legal community. Lawyers gathered at the Islamabad High Court, chanting slogans and condemning the arrests as a violation of the sanctity of court premises and an attack on the independence of the bar.

Leaders of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association demanded the lawyers’ immediate release and announced consultations on possible protests and a boycott of court proceedings.

During the arrest, police also confiscated mobile phones from journalists covering the developments involving lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari and political activist Hadi Ali Chattha, prompting concerns over press freedom and obstruction of media work.

'Fascism at its peak'

Former federal minister Shireen Mazari, the mother of Imaan Mazari, said on X that both lawyers were taken away in separate vehicles to undisclosed locations without any first information report being shown.

“Imaan and Hadi have been arrested and put in separate cars and taken away to unknown locations — no FIR shown and bar sadly could do nothing,” she wrote. “Fascism at its peak.”

Shireen Mazari, who served as a federal minister during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, also alleged that police used force against bar leaders during the arrest.

She said the police broke car windows and used violence against members of the bar, alleging the action was linked to a social media case involving the lawyers.

“All because the Twitter case had been exposed and more embarrassment would have followed in further cross today,” she wrote, adding that a technical officer involved in the case had “suddenly resigned.”

Solidarity with Mazari and Chattha

Earlier, fellow lawyers and bar associations had expressed solidarity with Mazari and Chattha, describing the cases against them as politically motivated and aimed at intimidating members of the legal fraternity.

Mazari and Chattha have said they were willing to face the legal process but sought protection from arrest, alleging the cases stem from their political views and activism.

Both are facing a criminal case linked to a controversial social media post, according to legal sources.

Mazari, a prominent lawyer known for her activism, and Chattha have been facing multiple legal proceedings in Islamabad since their interim bail was canceled.

The case has drawn attention from legal and human rights circles, with concerns raised about due process, judicial conduct and the treatment of lawyers during court proceedings.

The arrests come amid heightened tensions between the government and sections of Pakistan’s legal community. Lawyers’ bodies have warned that continued pressure on advocates could further escalate the situation.

The case has drawn attention from legal and human rights circles in Pakistan and abroad, with concerns raised about due process, judicial conduct, and the treatment of lawyers during court proceedings.

International rights groups have previously criticized Pakistan for curbs on dissent and pressure on activists, echoing broader concerns about shrinking civic space in South Asia.