Imaan Mazari and her husband spend the night in the IHC bar office while the police wait outside

ISLAMABAD:

Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, spent Tuesday night in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Bar Association president’s office after arrest warrants were issued against them in connection with a newly discovered FIR.

The couple sought refuge in the office of Islamabad Bar High Court president Wajid Gilani after a fresh FIR surfaced soon after the IHC restored their bail in an ongoing case linked to controversial social media posts. Arrest warrants were issued in the newly emerged case, which dates back to July 2025.

Mazari and Chattha immediately filed pre-arrest bail applications at the IHC, seeking an urgent hearing. However, Chief Justice Secretary Maqsood Ahmed informed them that Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar had already left and the matter could not be taken up that day.

Fearing arrest, the two lawyers remained overnight in the bar association president’s office. Gilani assured them of protection and told the couple: “Sit in my office. No one will arrest you from here.”

Islamabad police remained stationed outside the court offices throughout the night, attempting to arrest Mazari and her husband.

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Read: IHC restores bail and restores the right to defense of Imaan Mazari, her husband

Several people visited the couple during the night. The newly appointed leader of the opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, came to the bar association office to express his solidarity with Mazari and Chattha.

Speaking to reporters alongside the two lawyers, Abbas said citizens often turn to the courts for help but instead face difficulties. He also referred to the long-standing grievances in Balochistan. Describing Mazari and Chattha as young lawyers who represent freedom, he said such people should be valued. “To live is a fundamental right of every human being,” he stated. “The murder of an innocent person is the murder of all humanity.”

Senior JUI-F advocate and senator Kamran Murtaza, who is representing the couple in their bail case, was also present at the IHC bar as the developments attracted widespread attention on social media.

Read more: IHC grants protective bail to Imaan Mazari, husband in controversial tweets case

Murtaza said: “It is complete anarchy and puts an end to the reputation of the bar associations that we have caught our lawyers, Imaan and Hadi, by taking them to court, and the police have lodged a false arrest FIR, and it is ridiculing and disrespecting the bar association.”

On Wednesday morning, a district court headed by Justice Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard the tweet case against Mazari and Chattha. A junior lawyer appeared on their behalf and informed the court that a bail application was pending before the high court, adding that the couple would appear after the IHC proceedings.

The district court adjourned the hearing until 1:30 p.m.

According to sources, the legal branch of the Islamabad district and sessions courts was sealed following the emergence of the previously undisclosed FIR against the couple. The move was ordered by senior police officials amid allegations that details of the FIR had been leaked. The FIR was registered in July, but neither Mazari nor Chattha had been granted bail in the case at that time.

Mazari and Chattha are already facing trial in the Islamabad District and Sessions Court for alleged controversial posts and reposts on X, formerly Twitter. Authorities have described the content as “anti-state.”

The case was registered by the National Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Agency under the Electronic Crime Prevention Act, 2016, alleging that the posts were aimed at inciting divisions and negatively portraying state institutions.

Previously, the trial court issued non-bailable arrest warrants after the couple failed to appear, prompting legal challenges from the defense. Mazari and Chattha subsequently approached the IHC, alleging procedural irregularities, including collection of evidence in their absence and without adequate legal representation.

After the high court refused to grant an immediate stay, the couple petitioned the Supreme Court, which ordered a temporary stay of the trial until the IHC completes its hearing.

Legal bodies, including the Islamabad Bar Association, have criticized aspects of the process, saying the accused’s right to a fair defense has been undermined.

‘Victory for the rule of law’

Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Wajid Ali Gilani held a press conference on Wednesday along with lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha.

Gilani told reporters that the event marked a “victory for the rule of law.”

He said a fresh FIR had emerged against Mazari and Chatha and despite the delays, a bail application was lodged a day earlier, although the court staff had already left by that time.

Gilani said the bail plea had been set for hearing later on Wednesday.

He said Mazari and Chatha would not be handed over to the police under any circumstances.

Gilani alleged that the police had cordoned off the Islamabad High Court to arrest the two lawyers, and that officers of senior superintendent rank were present at the scene.

He said lawyers come forward when leadership of lawyers is required and added that the administration and police had failed in their actions due to the unity shown by the legal community.