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Lawyers Protest at IHC Over Arrest, Sentencing of Imaan Mazari and Husband
Lawyers staged a protest at Islamabad High Court against the arrest and 17-year sentence of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha in a social media posts case, calling it state repression.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-26
Lawyers Protest at IHC Over Arrest, Sentencing of Imaan Mazari and Husband

Lawyers on Monday staged a protest outside the main gate of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the arrest and sentencing of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a controversial social media posts case.

The demonstration was led by IHC Bar President Syed Wajid Ali Gilani and was joined by senior lawyer Babar Awan along with a large number of advocates from the Islamabad Bar Council (IBC), High Court Bar Association and Islamabad District Bar. Protesters carried banners reading “Justice for Lawyers” and chanted slogans against the police.

Addressing the gathering, Babar Awan condemned what he described as “state and police terrorism” against lawyers, warning that such actions were dangerous for society and undermined the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the IHC Bar Association, Islamabad Bar Council and Islamabad District Bar jointly announced a strike in protest. Lawyers refrained from appearing in court except in urgent matters. As a result, proceedings in several cases were affected.

Strict security arrangements were put in place around the Islamabad High Court, with a heavy police presence and armoured vehicles deployed outside the premises.

The issue of the strike was also raised during the hearing of a civil case before Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar. Advocate Qaiser Abbas Gondal informed the court that the bar had called for a strike over the arrest of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha. When the chief justice asked whether those arrested were considered lawyers, no response was given.

CJ Dogar remarked that if the bar regarded them as lawyers, their representatives could present their stance in chambers.

In a separate statement, IHC Bar Association Secretary Manzoor Jajja urged lawyers not to appear in courts as part of the strike. He announced that lawyers would move in a convoy to district courts before regrouping to continue their protest.

On Saturday, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka sentenced Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha to a combined total of 17 years in prison on multiple charges related to controversial social media posts.

The case originated from a complaint filed on August 12, 2025, with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Islamabad. The complaint accused Imaan Mazari of spreading and promoting narratives allegedly aligned with hostile terrorist groups and banned organisations. Her husband was implicated for reposting some of her content.

The sentencing has sparked strong reactions within the legal community, with bar associations terming the action unjust and calling for immediate relief for the convicted lawyers.
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