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Amnesty Condemns PECA Convictions of Human Rights Lawyers in Pakistan
Amnesty International criticizes Pakistan’s convictions of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha as part of a “systematic campaign of harassment.” They face 10-year PECA sentences for social media posts supporting Baloch and Pashtun activists.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-25
Amnesty Condemns PECA Convictions of Human Rights Lawyers in Pakistan

Amnesty International’s South Asia chapter has strongly condemned the sentencing of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari (32) and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha (33), calling it part of a “systematic campaign of harassment” against rights defenders in Pakistan.

The couple was convicted on January 24 by an Islamabad district and sessions court under sections 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyber terrorism), and 26-A (false or fake information) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Both were sentenced to 10 years in prison for posts on X expressing solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun activists and criticizing the Pakistan military’s policies.

They were arrested on January 23 while traveling to court, despite having secured pre-arrest bail on January 21. Amnesty International noted eyewitness reports of excessive force used during the arrest. Both remain imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

The rights organization criticized the “hasty trial,” pointing out that the lawyers were denied the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses or present evidence in their defense. The conviction was delivered while a transfer application against the presiding judge—whom the lawyers had accused of bias—was still pending.

“Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha are being targeted solely for their advocacy and work defending human rights in the country,” Amnesty said.

The lawyers have faced repeated arrests over the past few years. Mazari was detained in August 2023 on terrorism charges after a speech at a rally and released on bail a week later. In October 2024, both were detained for removing police barricades during an international cricket team’s visit to Islamabad.

In August 2025, a PECA case was filed against them over alleged “anti-state” social media posts, which eventually led to arrest warrants. Although they were initially granted pre-arrest bail, it was later canceled. Additional charges were brought through a previously unknown FIR connected to a protest in Islamabad.

Amnesty also highlighted allegations of mistreatment in detention. Mazari informed the court via video link that she was being denied food and water and boycotted proceedings over the alleged mistreatment.

The rights body warned that the imprisonment of the couple could negatively impact journalists, activists, and victims of enforced disappearances and blasphemy allegations whom they represent. “The use of laws such as PECA to silence and criminalize peaceful dissent is a matter of grave concern and a clear violation of Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights law,” Amnesty said.

The organization further linked the case to a broader crackdown on freedom of expression in Pakistan, noting that since PECA’s enactment in 2016, journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition supporters have faced harassment under the law. Amendments in January 2025, including Section 26-A, further restricted online speech, allowing up to three years’ imprisonment for “fake or false information.”

Amnesty urged the Pakistani government to stop misusing cybercrime and other criminal laws against human rights defenders and ensure fair trial guarantees in line with international standards.
Tagged:

FreedomOfExpression

HumanRights

PECA

AmnestyInternational
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