Islamabad, Jan 24, (dpa/GNA) – A court in the Pakistani capital, on Saturday handed down a sentence of 10 years in prison to prominent rights activist and lawyer, Imaan Zainab Mazari, and her husband for social media posts.
“The prosecution has been able to prove its case against both the accused persons,” said the judgement seen by dpa.
The couple, Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, who is also a lawyer, were accused of spreading anti-state, false and fake information regarding the enforced disappearance of civilians, particularly from the restive province of Balochistan.
Mazari boycotted the proceedings and complained that the couple were mistreated in custody.
The judgement triggered a widespread outcry, with rights groups, journalists and opposition leaders condemning it as an attack on freedom of expression and a dangerous precedent that would curb dissent.
The government, however, defended the decision with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar saying “As you sow, so shall you reap!” – underscoring the government’s tough stance on what it calls anti-state narratives.
On Friday, the couple were arrested on their way to appear before a court, which prompted widespread condemnation by rights groups, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
Amnesty International said it was “alarmed by the manner of the arrest, lack of adherence to due process and by the authorities’ continued pursuit of spurious and retaliatory cases aimed solely at silencing Imaan and Hadi for their human rights work and dissent.”
In August 2025, a case was filed against Mazari and her husband over X posts criticizing Pakistan’s powerful military.
GNA