Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha arrested in Islamabad

WEB DESK: Human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha have been arrested in the capital, Imaan’s mother and former minister Shireen Mazari confirmed on her X account.They were booked near Serena Chowk while they were on their way to the district courts, accompanied by officials from the High Court Bar. During the arrest, police reportedly confiscated mobile phones from journalists who were covering the incident.

Earlier on Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had granted one-day protective bail to lawyer and activist Imaan Zainab and her husband, Chattha. The order restrained authorities from arresting the couple until Tuesday in a case linked to controversial social media posts.

Background of the case

The couple’s legal troubles began under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in August last year, following a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) . Imaan is accused of posting content allegedly aligned with hostile organisations, while Hadi is charged with reposting some of it. The posts reportedly criticised security forces over missing persons cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, creating the impression of state involvement in terrorism. They were indicted in October 2025.

Court proceedings

Arrest warrants had been issued after the trial court cancelled their bail over repeated non-appearances. The trial court also revoked their right to cross-examination and ordered that they be produced within 24 hours. During Monday’s hearing, their lawyer stressed Imaan’s health and the need for judicial restraint. The IHC granted temporary relief, allowing the couple to seek further legal remedies before the sessions court.