Lawyers in Cage: Amnesty Slams Pakistan for 'Weaponising' Anti-Terror Laws
Amnesty International slams Pakistan for using anti-terror laws to sentence human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.
Amnesty International, leading a coalition of international civil society organisations, has issued a scathing condemnation of the Pakistani government following the sentencing of two prominent human rights lawyers, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha. The organisations claim that the convictions are not about justice, but are part of a systemic pattern of politically motivated persecution and a blatant misuse of the country's criminal justice system.
The Verdict: 10 Years for Moving Barriers
The controversy centers on a ruling delivered by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court on October 29. The court sentenced both lawyers to 10 years in prison under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, alongside an additional three years under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Furthermore, the duo was slapped with a combined fine of 200,000 rupees, with the prison terms ordered to run concurrently.
The charges stem from an incident in October 2024. The lawyers were accused of removing security barriers on a road in Islamabad while the England cricket team was being transported. This act led to their conviction under Section 7(h) of the ATA and Sections 186 and 353 of the PPC.
A 'Cage-Like' Trial
Beyond the sentence itself, Amnesty International and other signatories have raised alarms over the harrowing conditions of the legal proceedings. The trial was conducted inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala prison, and reports suggest the process fell far short of international fair trial standards.
The organisations highlighted several disturbing details regarding the trial:
- Physical Restrictions: The lawyers were reportedly confined within a cage-like courtroom structure.
- Limited Access: This setup severely restricted their ability to communicate with their own legal representatives.
- Defence Hurdles: The defence team allegedly faced significant obstacles in accessing the accused and challenging the evidence presented by the prosecution.
Adding to the frustration, the court delivered its verdict despite a petition filed with the Supreme Court on October 26, which had sought a stay on the proceedings and a transfer of the case.
A Cycle of Arrests
Rights groups argue that these convictions cannot be viewed in isolation but are part of a broader campaign to silence legal activists. The timeline of events suggests a "revolving door" approach to their incarceration.
On September 17, 2026, the Supreme Court had actually granted the lawyers bail and suspended previous 17-year sentences. Those earlier sentences were handed down under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) due to social media posts that criticised the Pakistani military and showed support for Pashtun and Baloch activists.
However, the relief was short-lived. On the very same day they were granted bail by the Supreme Court, the lawyers were arrested again under separate anti-terrorism legislation, ensuring they remained behind bars.