human rights defender
Hadi Ali Chattha
Actions and Campaigns
- Release convicted human rights lawyers
- Release convicted human rights lawyers: Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatta
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HRD's Gender
Man
Type of HRD
- Lawyer
- Social and community leader
HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
- Fight against impunity
HRD's geographical origin
Urban
Current Status
In prison (sentenced)
HRD's bio and work
Hadi Ali Chattha is a Pakistani human rights lawyer and criminal law specialist known for his work defending individuals in cases involving serious human rights violations. He has represented victims of enforced disappearances, provided legal defence in blasphemy-related cases, and offered pro bono legal assistance to survivors of sexual violence and death row prisoners.
Detained since
Jan 23, 2026
Charge(s)
- Spreading fake news
- Terrorism
Sentence
On 24 January 2026, Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha were convicted under PECA provisions related to cyber-terrorism and false information over their posts on X. They were each sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment and fined PKR 36 million.
Latitude: 33.48774994545164
Longitude: 73.04010841534337
Geolocation of detention
Country or area of detention
Region of detention
- Asia: Southern Asia
Location of detention - City/Town
Islamabad
Location of detention - Facility
Adiala Jail (Rawalpindi)
Allegations / reports of ill-treatment
Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha were arrested using excessive force while they were on their way to court. It was further reported that they were not immediately informed of the reasons for their arrest and were allegedly taken to an undisclosed location before being presented before the court.
Recent case update / evolution
On 17 September 2026, the Supreme Court granted bail to Hadi Ali Chattha against surety bonds of Rs200,000 and suspended his sentence pending the decision of the Islamabad High Court. However, only hours after the Supreme Court ordered his release, Islamabad Police re-arrested him in connection with a separate case and produced him before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), which rejected the police’s request for physical remand and sent him to jail on judicial remand.
