Imaan and Hadi's family, legal team voice concerns over medical facilities at Adiala jail

The families and legal representatives of detained lawyers and human rights activists Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatta have expressed concerns regarding the medical facilities at Adiala jail. On January 24, both were sentenced to 17 years in prison for various charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

After their conviction, which drew criticism from lawyers and United Nations (UN) experts, they appealed their convictions in the Islamabad High Court on February 7. In a recent statement, the family and legal team commended the weekly meetings with the couple but expressed worry about Imaan's health issues over the past three weeks.

She reported heavy bleeding from her gums, which had no dentist available to examine her at the jail. Medicine was eventually provided, but not all of it reached her. She later experienced stomach problems, and medical attention was still insufficient. Recently, Imaan has been suffering from a severe chest infection. Blood tests revealed a high white blood cell count, suggesting an infection.

While a chest X-ray is necessary to determine the cause and rule out serious conditions like tuberculosis, jail authorities have not arranged one yet. The statement highlighted the inadequate women's medical facilities and lack of isolation for inmates with infectious diseases, including children. The families and legal team stressed that these health issues could be prevented if their requests for a suspended sentence were addressed promptly.

They urged the jail authorities and government to arrange Imaan's chest X-ray and provide proper medical care, including dental services, for all women prisoners. They emphasized the need for isolating or quarantining detainees with infectious diseases, providing specialized doctors and necessary medication, and not opposing Imaan and Hadi's applications for a suspended sentence, which are set to be heard by the IHC on September 8, 2026.