Islamabad: A court in the Pakistani capital has imposed a 10-year prison sentence on prominent rights activist and lawyer, Imaan Zainab Mazari, and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, for their social media posts.
According to Ghana News Agency, the court found the couple guilty of spreading anti-state, false, and fake information regarding enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan. The judgement, observed by dpa, stated, "The prosecution has been able to prove its case against both the accused persons."
Mazari, who boycotted the proceedings, alleged that she and her husband faced mistreatment while in custody. Their sentencing has ignited widespread condemnation from rights groups, journalists, and opposition leaders, who view it as a severe infringement on freedom of expression and a precedent that could suppress dissent.
The government, however, stood by the decision. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar remarked, "As you sow, so shall you reap," highlighting the administration's firm position against what it labels anti-state narratives.
The couple's arrest on Friday, while en route to a court appearance, further drew criticism from rights organizations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Amnesty International expressed concern over the nature of the arrest and the lack of due process, criticizing the authorities for pursuing what it termed as retaliatory cases against the couple for their human rights advocacy.
The charges against Mazari and Chattha stemmed from a case filed in August 2025 over posts on X criticizing Pakistan's military.