International human rights organisations, led by Amnesty International, have strongly condemned Pakistan’s conviction and sentencing of prominent human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, describing the case as an alarming example of the alleged misuse of anti-terrorism legislation to target lawyers and suppress dissent.
In a joint statement released on 6 November 2026, more than 20 international civil society organisations expressed serious concerns over the use of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act to prosecute lawyers engaged in human rights advocacy. They said the convictions could intimidate the legal profession and discourage lawyers from representing victims of state abuses.
1. Who are the lawyers?
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Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir: A prominent Pakistani human rights lawyer known for representing victims of enforced disappearances, custodial abuse and alleged violations of fundamental rights.
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Hadi Ali Chattha: A human rights lawyer who has worked alongside Imaan in cases involving marginalised communities and politically sensitive human rights issues.
Both have represented individuals and communities, including Baloch and Pashtun activists, who have raised allegations of abuses by Pakistani authorities.
2. What is the case about?
The case originated from an incident in October 2024 in Islamabad.
According to the prosecution, the two lawyers allegedly removed security barriers placed on a road during arrangements for the visit of the England cricket team to Pakistan.
Authorities accused them of obstructing public officials and creating a situation that threatened security.
The case was registered under:
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Section 7(h) of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
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Section 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to obstructing public servants.
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Section 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to assault or criminal force against public servants.
3. Ten-year prison sentences and financial penalties
On 29 October 2026, an Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court convicted Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.
The court imposed:
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10 years’ imprisonment on each lawyer under anti-terrorism legislation.
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Three years’ imprisonment under the Pakistan Penal Code.
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A fine of PKR 100,000 on each lawyer.
The prison sentences are to run concurrently, meaning the sentences are not added together. The principal prison term for each is therefore 10 years.
Amnesty International’s major concerns
Amnesty International has described the convictions as an indictment of Pakistan’s justice system.
Yasmine Ahmed, Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact at Amnesty International, criticised the proceedings and said the anti-terrorism charges were being used to punish the lawyers for their human rights advocacy.
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