Pakistan's Human Rights Lawyer and Husband Get 10-Year Terms For Anti-State Social Media Content

Imaan Mazari, one of Pakistan’s most prominent human rights lawyers, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison along with her husband, fellow lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, over what authorities described as “anti-state” social media posts. The verdict, delivered by an Islamabad court over the weekend, has triggered sharp reactions from rights groups and renewed debate over shrinking civil liberties in the country.

The 32-year-old lawyer has built a national profile by taking on some of Pakistan’s most sensitive and controversial cases. Mazari has represented ethnic minorities, journalists facing defamation charges, individuals accused of blasphemy, and Afghans affected by state crackdowns. Her work, often conducted on a pro bono basis, has repeatedly brought her into direct conflict with the state and the military establishment.

According to court documents, Mazari was accused of disseminating “highly offensive” content critical of state institutions, particularly the military. The sentencing came a day after she and her husband were re-arrested while travelling to attend a court hearing related to the case. Both have previously faced multiple charges, including cyber terrorism and hate speech.

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Speaking to Agence France-Presse earlier, Mazari said she would not allow imprisonment to weaken her resolve. “Truth seems overwhelmingly difficult in this country,” she said, adding that she and her husband were prepared for the consequences of their activism and would not back down. Her stance has drawn comparisons with the late Asma Jahangir, Pakistan’s iconic human rights lawyer, a comparison Mazari has described as an honour.

Mazari is the daughter of former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, who said the family has endured sustained threats due to her daughter’s defence of marginalised communities. Despite coming from a privileged background, colleagues note that Mazari has chosen a path that places her in constant confrontation with power, making her, in the words of one journalist she represented, “a constant challenge for the state.”

International attention has followed her case in recent years. In 2025, Mazari received the Young Inspiration Award from the World Expression Forum, while a UN special rapporteur raised concerns that legal cases against her reflected an arbitrary use of the justice system to intimidate human rights defenders. Even after her sentencing, Mazari has vowed to continue the fight, saying unlawful incarceration would not silence her commitment to justice and the rule of law.

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