human rights defender
Imaan Hazir Mazari
Actions and Campaigns
© wexfo
Imaan Hazir Mazari
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
HRD's year of birth
1993
HRD's Gender
Woman
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
Imaan Mazari-Hazir is a Pakistani human rights lawyer and human rights defender known for her work on civil and political rights, rule of law, and accountability. She has represented victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, custodial abuse, and other alleged human rights violations. Her legal advocacy focuses on challenging unlawful state practices and seeking justice for individuals whose fundamental rights have been violated. Through her legal practice, Imaan has worked on cases involving missing persons, protection of journalists, activists, and marginalized communities. As a human rights defender, she has faced legal challenges and alleged judicial harassment linked to her advocacy and legal work. International human rights organisations and legal networks have raised concerns regarding actions taken against her, emphasizing the importance of protecting lawyers and defenders who work on human rights issues.
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: 33.4876962580952
Longitude: 73.04009768650754
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 7 July 2026, the Supreme Court of Pakistan heard the petitions filed by human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha seeking suspension of their sentences. A three-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, and Justice Musarrat Hilali issued notices to the federal government and other respondents. The Court adjourned the hearing until 21 July 2026.
Attachments
- Country(ies) of nationality
- HRD's year of birth
- 1993
- HRD's Gender
- Woman
- Type of HRD
- Lawyer
- Social and community leader
- HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
- Fight against impunity
- HRD's Picture
- Copyright
- wexfo
- HRD's bio and work
Imaan Mazari-Hazir is a Pakistani human rights lawyer and human rights defender known for her work on civil and political rights, rule of law, and accountability. She has represented victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, custodial abuse, and other alleged human rights violations. Her legal advocacy focuses on challenging unlawful state practices and seeking justice for individuals whose fundamental rights have been violated. Through her legal practice, Imaan has worked on cases involving missing persons, protection of journalists, activists, and marginalized communities. As a human rights defender, she has faced legal challenges and alleged judicial harassment linked to her advocacy and legal work. International human rights organisations and legal networks have raised concerns regarding actions taken against her, emphasizing the importance of protecting lawyers and defenders who work on human rights issues.
- HRD's geographical origin
- Urban
- Country or area of detention
- Region of detention
- Asia: Southern Asia
- Location of detention - City/Town
- Islamabad
- Location of detention - Facility
- Adiala Jail (Rawalpindi)
- Geolocation of detention
Latitude: 33.4876962580952
Longitude: 73.04009768650754
- Geolocation of detention
- Detained since
- Jan 23, 2026
- Current Status
- In prison (sentenced)
- 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.
- Recent case update / evolution
On 7 July 2026, the Supreme Court of Pakistan heard the petitions filed by human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha seeking suspension of their sentences. A three-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, and Justice Musarrat Hilali issued notices to the federal government and other respondents. The Court adjourned the hearing until 21 July 2026.
- 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.
- Protection actions and campaigns
- Consent status
- Consent to register, store and publish the information
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Date added
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