A collective of veteran journalists, human rights activists, and members of civil society has expressed deep concern over the controversial case and non-bailable arrest warrants issued by an Islamabad court against prominent human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha.
In a joint statement, the group described the case as “agenda-driven” and a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices. The case, registered by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCIA), accuses the couple of allegedly attempting to incite divisions on linguistic grounds and creating the impression that the armed forces were involved in terrorism. Observers have widely perceived these allegations as targeting legitimate criticism rather than any criminal conduct.
Veteran journalists and rights activists signing the statement include Hussain Naqi, Zahid Hussain, Farhatullah Babar, Mustansar Javaid, Anwar Iqbal, Ali Ahmad Khan, Mazhar Abbas, Dr. Nazir Mahmood, Dr. Touseef Ahmed Khan, Nasir Zaidi, Asmatullah Niazi, Munizae Jahangir, Sohail Sangi, Nasir Malick, Adnan Rehmat, Iqbal Khattak, G.N. Mughal, Waris Raza, Habib Khan Ghori, Fouzia Shahid, Saleem Shahid, Ayub Jan Sarhandi, Abdul Sattar, Mohammed Riaz, Jamil Ahmed, and Ayub Malik.
The statement warns that the charges are dangerously broad, politically motivated, and could easily be misused as tools to suppress criticism. The group strongly demanded the immediate quashing of the case and the withdrawal of the non-bailable warrants.
They further urged the judiciary to uphold its constitutional mandate to protect fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and due process. The statement also called on authorities to end the escalating use of legal measures to harass and intimidate human rights defenders and critics.
“We stand in full, unwavering solidarity with Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha,” the statement concluded.