Says while Pakistan remains committed to EU on all issues, “we make a distinction on our domestic affairs”
Lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Foreign Office (FO) dismissed criticism from the European Union (EU) over the convictions of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, saying the issue was a “domestic matter” in the country.
The two were sentenced in Islamabad last week in a case linked to 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.
Adding to the criticism, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said in a post on X earlier today that the verdicts went against freedom of expression and the independence of lawyers.
“These are not only important democratic principles but also part of Pakistan’s international human rights obligations.”
The EU delegation to Pakistan elaborated on the statement in a statement on X, sharing the spokesperson’s message on the matter.
Asked about the case while speaking at his weekly press briefing, FO spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi said: “This is a domestic matter in Pakistan, the trial and conviction took place according to our local laws through a judicial process. The relevant persons have the right to appeal and have the right to a trial. As such, these individual remedies are available.”
He added that while Pakistan remained engaged with the EU on all issues, “we differ in our internal affairs”.
The couple were arrested on January 23 near the underpass outside Serena Hotel while traveling to the district courts and later sent to 14-day custody by an anti-terrorism court.
A district and sessions court later sentenced both to a combined 17 years’ rigorous imprisonment each: five years under PECA Section 9 (plus a fine of Rs 5 million), 10 years under Section 10 (plus Rs 30 million) and two years under Section 26-A (plus Rs1 million), with further imprisonment in case of non-payment. The judge also acquitted them of the PECA charge of hate speech under section 11, saying the prosecution’s witnesses did not support that claim.
Read more: Imaan Mazari claims ill-treatment as court hears tweet case via video link
During the trial conducted via video link, Mazari alleged ill-treatment in custody and announced a boycott of the hearing. The judge noted that the pair were already in custody in another case and said they would remain in jail to serve their sentences, with credit for time spent in custody under Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code.
