ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad has sentenced human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, to 17 years in prison each in a case linked to alleged anti-state content shared on social media.
The verdict was announced by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka in a case registered by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. The prosecution claimed the accused shared and amplified posts on X that were intended to malign state institutions and create divisions in society.
According to the court’s written order, the content included remarks describing Pakistan as a terrorist state, criticism of detentions under anti-terror laws, praise for banned organisations, and allegations of judicial bias. While acknowledging that criticism of the state is protected in a democracy, the court ruled that the accused crossed legal limits of dissent.
Mazari and Chattha were sentenced to multiple jail terms under different sections of Peca, along with heavy fines. The court acquitted them of charges related to sectarian or religious hatred.
During the proceedings, Mazari alleged mistreatment in custody and announced a boycott of the hearing. The convictions have sparked criticism from legal and political figures, who questioned the use of cybercrime and anti-terror laws in the case.
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