IHC Bar President Alleges Use of Force During Arrest and Broke Windows of Our Vehicle
Human rights lawyer and social activist Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Photo archive
Islamabad police on Friday arrested lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, near the underpass in front of the Serena hotel in Islamabad.
Former minister Shireen Mazari wrote in X that Imaan and Hadi “have been arrested, put in separate vehicles and taken to unknown locations.”
“Fascism at its peak. The emasculated men in power must be very pleased with this achievement!” Mazari added.
Magnet @ImaanZHazir and hadi @AdvHadiali They were arrested, put in separate cars and taken to unknown locations; no spruce is shown and unfortunately the bar couldn’t do anything. Fascism at its peak. The emasculated men in power must be very pleased with this achievement!
-Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 23, 2026
Journalists present at the scene alleged that police personnel forcibly confiscated the mobile phones of journalists covering the arrest.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Bar High Court Chief Justice Wajid Gilani accused the police of using excessive force during the operation.
“They assaulted us, broke the windows of our vehicle and then arrested Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatha,” Gilani said, adding that even the secretary of the bar association was subjected to violence.
Read: IHC restores bail and restores the right to defense of Imaan Mazari, her husband
The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday granted two-day protective bail to human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, in a newly emerged case dating back to July 2025, barring their arrest during this period.
IHC Judge Azam Khan directed the couple to approach the concerned trial court within two days and directed them to furnish a bail bond of Rs 100,000 each.
The relief came after arrest warrants were issued in connection with the fresh FIR, forcing the couple to spend two nights at the Islamabad High Court Bar Association president’s office amid a heavy police presence outside the premises.
