Pakistan court suspends arrest warrants against lawyer Imaan Mazari, husband

Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court suspended on Tuesday non-bailable arrest warrants issued against lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari and co-accused Haadi Ali Chattha.

The court also restored their bail and reinstated their right of defense, which had earlier been withdrawn by a lower court in the capital.

Justice Azam Khan heard the petition challenging the trial court’s orders.

During the hearing, the judge asked whether the accused were present before the court and granted them three days to approach the trial court to complete the legal proceedings.

The high court ordered that the arrest warrants will remain suspended during this period, providing interim relief to the two.

Mazari and Chattha are facing a criminal case linked to a controversial social media post.

Earlier, a trial court in Islamabad cancelled their interim bail and issued non-bailable arrest warrants after they failed to appear before the court.

Challenging those orders, the two moved the Islamabad High Court, seeking restoration of bail and suspension of the warrants.

With Tuesday’s ruling, the high court temporarily halted the arrests and reinstated legal protections pending further proceedings before the trial court.

A sessions court in Islamabad last week ordered police to arrest Mazari and Chattha within 24 hours.

Judge Afzal Majoka said their physical presence inside or outside Pakistan was irrelevant.

The same court on Saturday reissued non-bailable arrest warrants and adjourned the hearing until Jan. 19.

The case remains under judicial scrutiny.

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

The case has drawn attention from legal and human rights circles.

Concerns have been raised about due process, judicial conduct, and the treatment of lawyers during court proceedings.

New case emerges against Mazari, Chattha

A separate criminal case has surfaced against Mazari and Chattha, seeking their arrest in connection with an alleged protest-related incident.

According to available information, the case dates back to July 26, 2025, and is linked to a protest by families of missing persons outside the Islamabad Press Club.

The demonstration was part of an ongoing campaign by relatives of people allegedly subjected to enforced disappearances in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.

The first information report, or FIR, accuses Mazari and Chattha of involvement in serious criminal offenses allegedly committed during the protest.

The emergence of the case has raised questions, as no visible action was taken by police for nearly six months despite the seriousness of the allegations.

During that period, neither arrests were made nor was the FIR made public.

The sudden surfacing of the case and renewed moves to arrest the two have prompted concerns over the timing and intent behind the legal action.

Legal observers and human rights activists say the unexplained delay in pursuing the case undermines the credibility of the allegations and fuels perceptions of selective or politically motivated enforcement of the law.

Mazari and Chattha have previously been involved in legal advocacy and public protests related to human rights issues, including cases concerning missing persons.

Police have not issued any official explanation for the delay in registering or pursuing the case.

Further developments are expected as the matter comes under increased legal and public scrutiny.