Lawyers’ body to boycott Islamabad court proceedings on Saturday in protest against Imaan, Hadi’s rearrest

The Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) has announced a boycott of court proceedings in the city on Saturday, September 19, in protest of the rearrest of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha. The couple was arrested late Thursday in a second case after the Supreme Court had previously released them on bail.

Imaan and Hadi were initially sentenced to 17 years on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) for posting critical content on social media. However, upon their release on Thursday, they were arrested again by Islamabad police at Adiala jail in connection with another case. The second case was filed at Kohsar police station on March 22, 2025, based on an FIR alleging that the couple chanted anti-government slogans and blocked roads.

The IBA expressed concern over the couple's rearrest, stating that it undermined the integrity of judicial proceedings and violated fundamental rights and the rule of law. The association called for the immediate release of Imaan and Hadi, demanded transparency regarding the cases, and vowed to protect judicial independence, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard fundamental human rights.

Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the arrest, labeling it a politically motivated attempt to punish the lawyers for their human rights work.