Bar Boycotts Court Over Lawyer’s Rearrest

The Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) announced a full boycott of court proceedings on Saturday, September 19, in response to the rearrest of human‑rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari‑Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha. The couple had been released on bail after the Supreme Court suspended their sentences in a prior case, only to be detained again by police outside Adiala Jail on a fresh charge linked to an anti‑terrorism court hearing.

Both Imaan and Hadi were initially sentenced to 17 years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for alleged social media posts. Following their release, police arrested them on a second case registered in March 2025, accusing them of chanting anti‑government slogans and blocking roads. The IBA condemned the rearrest as a violation of judicial independence and fundamental rights, arguing that it undermined the sanctity of court orders and the rule of law.

In a statement, the IBA demanded the immediate release of the couple, the disclosure of all case details, and an end to the practice of detaining individuals on “unknown” FIRs. The association pledged to take all necessary measures to protect judicial independence and uphold human‑rights standards. The boycott was seen as a direct challenge to authorities, emphasizing that any attempt to circumvent court orders would be unacceptable.

International human‑rights groups joined the call for release. Amnesty International and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the rearrest as a politically motivated tactic to silence critical voices. Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty’s South Asia director, described the charges as “absurd” and an insult to the couple’s lifelong commitment to human rights. The global watchdog urged Pakistani authorities to release Imaan and Hadi unconditionally, without further charges.

The boycott underscores a broader struggle over the use of legal mechanisms to target dissent. It highlights the tension between state security apparatuses and the judiciary’s role in safeguarding civil liberties. As the legal community mobilizes, the outcome of this protest could set a precedent for how the rule of law is defended in Pakistan’s volatile political climate.