Noting that they have defended the rights of “countless people” and currently represent many others
Human rights lawyer and social activist Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo file
Human rights organization Amnesty International on Monday issued an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha.
The two were convicted in Islamabad last month in connection with alleged posts and reposts on X that investigators described as “anti-state”. The case was registered in August 2025 by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016, with allegations that the content was intended to undermine government institutions and align with proscribed organizations or individuals.
The verdicts were widely condemned by the legal community, politicians and civil society.
Amnesty today issued an urgent appeal, urging the public to write to Prime Minister Shehbaz for the pair’s release.
In a model letter written to the prime minister, Amnesty described the circumstances of their arrest and conviction, saying they were “targeted solely for their advocacy and work defending human rights in the country”.
It said their trial was conducted with “unusual haste”, adding that they were “consistently denied the right to cross-examine witnesses and bring evidence against them”.
🇵🇰 PAKISTAN: Amnesty International has issued an urgent action calling for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, each sentenced to 10 years in prison for social media posts labeled “anti-state”. Since their arrest… pic.twitter.com/6mzPAS7GIk
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) February 2, 2026
Amnesty also noted that their verdict was announced while a transfer application was still pending against the presiding judge, whom the couple had accused of bias.
The organization praised them as lawyers who had defended the rights of “countless people” and were currently representing journalists, activists and victims of enforced disappearances and blasphemy allegations.
“Their imprisonment affects many of these people who deserve the right to be represented by their lawyers. The use of laws like PECA to silence and criminalize peaceful dissent is a matter of grave concern and a clear violation of Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights law.
“I urge your government to immediately and unconditionally release Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha and quash their sentences. I also call on you to stop the abuse of the criminal justice system, including cybercrime laws, to target human rights defenders. I trust that your commitment to justice and human rights will guide your actions to address these serious concerns,” the organization said.
