Pakistan Sentences Human Rights Lawyer Imaan Mazari and Husband Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 Years

A Pakistani court has imposed a 10-year prison sentence on human rights advocate Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha. The couple were found guilty in connection with events that transpired during England's cricket team tour of Pakistan in 2024. This ruling follows a pattern of heightened state action against critics and activists within the country.

Mazari, known for her vocal opposition to military overreach and her work on enforced disappearances, and Chattha, a former legislator and political commentator, faced charges that their supporters contend are politically motivated. Their conviction underscores a broader crackdown on civic space and freedom of expression in Pakistan, where state institutions, particularly the military, wield considerable influence over legal processes.

International human rights organisations have routinely highlighted Pakistan's diminishing space for dissent, with activists, journalists, and legal professionals frequently subjected to arbitrary detention and politically charged trials. The ten-year sentence for Mazari and Chattha is seen by many as a stark warning to others who might challenge the established order, reinforcing concerns about the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.