Pakistan court frees rights lawyer and husband in terrorism case

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan granted bail to human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chatha on Thursday, leading to their release from Adiala jail around 8 p.m. on October 30. The couple had been arrested under terrorism charges for allegedly removing road barriers along a route designated for the England cricket team.

The incident occurred on October 25 at the Zero Point interchange as the England team was traveling to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for a test match. According to Aabpara police, Mazari allegedly pushed officers during the confrontation, while her husband reportedly used abusive language.

While granting bail to Mazari and her husband, ATC Special Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra directed them to conduct themselves as responsible citizens in the future.

Signage hanging outside ATC Special Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra's courtroom, Anti-Terrorism Court, G11, Islamabad, October 31, 2024.

He noted that Pakistan had already suffered significantly due to the previous terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in the country.

"Whether it is a Federal Minister, Senior Officer, Judge, or lawyer, everyone must respect the law as no one is above it," he said while granting bail. "If the police have closed a road for security reasons, all responsible citizens should cooperate."

Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari being escorted by police to the courtroom, at the Anti-Terrorism Court, G11, Islamabad, October 31, 2024.Nukta

The judge told Mazari's husband that he bears an even greater responsibility to comply with the law.

IHC paved the way for bail

Earlier today, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared illegal the three-day physical remand of Imaan Mazari and her husband in connection with the road incident, ruling that the terrorism provisions did not apply to the case.

It also ordered the duo to be sent to prison on judicial remand for 14 days. A judicial remand keeps the accused in jail while a physical remand grants police custody for questioning.

Under Pakistan's laws, the accused can apply for bail after being sent on judicial remand.

The duo requested and were granted bail when they appeared before ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra later in the day.

This ruling came just two days after an anti-terrorism court had initially approved the three-day remand.

Shireen Mazari speaks out

Following Imaan’s bail approval, her mother and former Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr. Shireen Mazari, criticized the government's approach, stating: "The government and police are labeling ordinary citizens as terrorists, while the real terrorists roam free without arrest. It's absurd that simply removing road barriers can lead to terrorism charges against citizens."

Shireen Mazari slams Government for daughter's arrest on terrorism chargesNukta

Dr. Shireen Mazari emphasized that the anti-terrorism law is extremely strict and is being misused by the Islamabad police. She urged the courts to immediately intervene and stop this misuse of the law.

Condemnations

The arrests have drawn widespread condemnation. Amnesty International criticized the detention as "excessive and disproportionate," noting that the couple was not informed of the charges until 24 hours after their arrest. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan denounced the arrests as based on "vague charges of creating a security risk" and called for their immediate release.

Veteran journalist Hamid Mir warned that the arrests "may satisfy the egos of some powerful people but it will give a very bad name not only to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but to the whole state of Pakistan."

Mazari was previously arrested and charged for her participation and speech at a Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement rally in August 2023.