Islamabad: United Nations human rights experts have called on Pakistan to immediately release human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha and withdraw the criminal and terrorism-related charges against them.
The UN experts expressed concern over the lawyers’ arrests and the legal proceedings against them, saying both were re-arrested in an earlier case involving terrorism-related charges just hours after the Supreme Court granted them bail on 17 September 2026.
The case relates to a protest held in March 2025 that authorities had declared illegal.
The experts said they had previously raised concerns about legal proceedings against Mazari-Hazir and Chattha. The two lawyers have also faced legal action in cases linked to their support for local activists and social media posts critical of the military.
A previous UN communication reportedly highlighted allegations of repeated prosecutions, arrests, threats and harassment against the lawyers.
According to the experts, their re-arrest in an old case shortly after being granted bail raises concerns about the possible use of the criminal justice system to restrict freedom of expression and human rights advocacy.
They further said that the proceedings against the two lawyers since January could contribute to an environment in which lawyers are intimidated and placed under pressure while carrying out their professional duties.
Court Orders 14-Day Judicial Remand
Following their re-arrest, an Islamabad anti-terrorism court rejected a police request for 30 days of custody and interrogation. The court instead sent both lawyers to prison on 14 days’ judicial remand.
On 22 September 2026, the anti-terrorism court returned their bail applications, stating that signed ‘power of attorney’ documents had not been attached.
UN Raises Concerns Over Anti-Terrorism Laws
The UN experts also raised concerns over the use of broad and vague anti-terrorism provisions to restrict the legitimate exercise of human rights and freedom of expression.
They stressed that, under international standards, governments are expected to protect lawyers from intimidation, harassment and improper interference.
The experts also said lawyers should not face improper prosecution or administrative action simply for carrying out their professional responsibilities.
