The former minister says prison authorities refused to meet despite the law and cites national and international rights.
Former federal minister Shireen Mazari addresses a press conference in Islamabad. In the back you can see his daughter Imaan Mazari. PHOTO: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
Former federal minister Shireen Mazari on Tuesday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking her legal right to join her daughter, Iman Mazari, and son-in-law, Hadi Ali Chatha, who are lodged in Adiala Jail.
Iman Mazari and Chatha were convicted on January 24 in Islamabad in a case involving alleged posts and reruns on X that investigators called “anti-state.” The case was registered in August 2025 by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under the Electronic Crime Prevention Act 2016, with allegations that the content aimed to undermine state institutions and align with proscribed organizations or individuals.
The convictions were widely condemned by members of the legal community, politicians and civil society.
Mazari told the court that he had completed the biometric process required for the petition and had gone to Adiala jail a day earlier to meet his family. “Despite it being the scheduled day, they did not allow us to meet with them,” he said.
He said the main relief sought in the petition was enforcement of his right to comply with prison laws. “I am a mother. I want to meet my daughter and my son-in-law, but you are preventing me from doing so,” she told the court.
Read: Amnesty International launches urgent action call to Prime Minister Shehbaz for the release of Imaan and Hadi
Mazari said the petition refers to both domestic law and Pakistan’s commitments under international human rights conventions. “Article 1 defines the physical and mental abuse that is being violated,” he said.
“Not only international laws are ignored, but even our own laws,” he added.
He said Pakistan’s position under international law had traditionally been strong. “When we approached India over Indus water violations, we insisted on compliance. We have consistently implemented our international agreements from the beginning,” he said.
Questioning the current approach of the authorities, he asked: “Pakistan’s position has remained strong. So why is it being undermined now?”
Previously, Mazari appeared in court in connection with the GHQ case and highlighted his attendance. “I have marked my attendance and now I am going to Adiala jail,” he told the media.
He added that even though his daughter and son-in-law were in custody, he was not allowed to meet them. “If I can’t meet my own daughter, how will I meet Imran Khan?” she asked.
