Imaan, Hadi move IHC against conviction in security breach case

Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha have filed appeals in the Islamabad High Court against their convictions from an anti-terrorism court for a security breach case. The two human rights lawyers were sentenced to 10 years each in prison, along with one-year sentences and fines under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The appeals were filed under Section 25 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Section 410 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, arguing that the trial court did not uphold fair trial standards and that the conviction resulted from illegal and arbitrary proceedings. They claim that their charges were framed without providing copies under Section 265-C CrPC and that they were not given a "not guilty" plea, despite it being recorded on their behalf.

The appeals also address jail trials, lack of proper consultation with counsel, and state counsel imposed against their wishes. Separately, over 20 international human rights organizations have called for the immediate and unconditional release of Imaan and Hadi, condemning the use of anti-terrorism legislation to intimidate lawyers engaging in permissible human rights work.