The Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) has announced a meeting on April 21 to discuss the sentencing of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, who were sentenced to 17 years in prison in January under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, according to multiple reports from Dawn. The couple's convictions stem from social media posts, which have generated widespread condemnation from legal advocates and rights organizations.
Around 400 lawyers have signed a resolution demanding an urgent hearing to suspend the couple’s sentences, describing the verdict as illegal and malicious. The resolution also calls for improved jail conditions and equitable trial procedures, reflecting concerns over potential legal harassment, Dawn reports.
The IBA aims to advocate for a swift review of the case and the suspension of the 17-year prison terms, emphasizing the protection of legal rights and fair trial guarantees. The case has attracted significant protests from rights groups and opposition figures, who argue that the charges represent an inappropriate use of electronic crimes law, according to Dawn coverage.
Originally sentenced on January 24, the couple’s case highlights ongoing tensions in Pakistan over the use of social media restrictions and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The lawyers underscore the need to reconsider cases that target individuals based on their online posts, framing this as a broader issue of legal and human rights protections.
The outcome of the IBA meeting on April 21 will be closely watched as it may impact the legal strategy moving forward and shape the handling of similar cases under Pakistan’s electronic crimes regulations. Legal observers are also monitoring whether authorities will agree to revisit the convictions or improve detention standards for Mazari-Hazir and Chattha.
Islamabad Bar Association
Shireen Mazari
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir
Hadi Ali Chattha
Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act
Islamabad High Court
Islamabad
Pakistan
