They have defended the rights of “countless people” and currently represent many more.
Imaan Mazari, human rights lawyer and social activist, and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo file
Human rights organization Amnesty International issued an urgent call for action to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha.
The two men were convicted in Islamabad last month for alleged posts and reposts about X that investigators called “anti-state.” The case was registered in August 2025 by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, with allegations that the content was aimed at undermining state institutions and aligning with banned organizations or individuals.
These convictions were widely condemned by the legal community, politicians and civil society.
Today, Amnesty issued a call for urgent action and called on the public to write to Prime Minister Shehbaz about the couple’s release.
In a model letter written to the prime minister, Amnesty outlined the circumstances of their arrest and conviction, saying they were “targeted solely because of their advocacy and work for human rights in the country.”
He said their trial had proceeded with “unusual haste”, adding that they had been “systematically denied the right to cross-examine witnesses and present evidence against them”.
🇵🇰 PAKISTAN: Amnesty International has launched 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 described as “anti-state”. Since their arrest on… pic.twitter.com/6mzPAS7GIk
– Amnesty International South Asia, regional office (@amnestysasia) February 2, 2026
Amnesty also noted that their sentencing was announced while a transfer application was still pending against the presiding judge, whom the couples had accused of bias.
The organization praised them as lawyers who have defended the rights of “countless people” and currently represent journalists, activists and victims of enforced disappearances and blasphemy allegations.
“Their imprisonment impacts many of these individuals who deserve the right to be represented by their lawyers. The use of laws such as PECA to silence and criminalize peaceful dissent is a matter of grave concern and constitutes a flagrant 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 overturn their convictions. I also call on you to end the misuse of the criminal justice system, including cybercrime laws, to target human rights defenders. I hope that your commitment to justice and human rights will guide your actions to address these serious concerns,” the organization said.
