Two prominent human rights lawyers in Pakistan, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, have been sentenced to 17 years in prison each for social media posts deemed “anti-state” and supportive of banned groups. The Islamabad sessions court handed down the verdict on January 24, 2026, under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which authorities increasingly use to target online criticism.
The court convicted the couple under sections related to cyberterrorism, glorifying banned organisations, and spreading false information, with sentences of 10 years, 5 years, and 2 years, respectively. They were also fined about PKR 36 million. The sentences will run at the same time.
The posts, published between 2021 and 2025, reportedly described Pakistan as a “terrorist state,” accused the military and other state institutions of human rights abuses, and shared narratives linked to banned militant groups. The court said these posts could damage public trust in state institutions.
During the trial, Mazari and Chattha appeared via video link and claimed they were not treated properly in custody, lacking adequate food and water. They also skipped part of the proceedings in protest.
The verdict has sparked criticism from rights groups. Amnesty International called it part of a campaign to silence dissent, while the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the case is being used to intimidate critics. Many observers say PECA, meant to fight cybercrime, is being misused to restrict freedom of speech.
Mazari is the daughter of former human rights minister Shireen Mazari and is known for defending journalists and activists. Pakistani authorities, however, insist the trial was fair and the ruling aligns with cybercrime laws.
