Islamabad: The advocacy group Women in Law Initiative (WIL) Pakistan has issued a sharp rebuke against the way a trial under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) is being run against lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari‑Hazir and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha. The couple was formally charged by an Islamabad court in October over a case that ties back to allegedly controversial social media posts.
In a press release, WIL said the proceedings blatantly undermine the rule of law, violate the constitutional guarantee of due process, and contravene Pakistan’s commitments under international human‑rights law. They pointed out that a former state counsel disclosed that he’d received 15 questions with instructions to ask in cross‑examination, yet “could not ask dictated questions.” “This startling disclosure…raises an alarm about the complete erosion of fundamental due process guarantees in the trial process. This admission exposes the compromised trial process. Rather than addressing these concerns transparently, the court proceeded to appoint yet another state counsel, despite both accused clearly and repeatedly expressing that they have no confidence in the newly appointed counsel,” the group wrote.
WIL also cited another statement: “Even more alarming is the unprecedented speed with which the new state counsel concluded the cross‑examination of five (05) prosecution witnesses within mere hours. The haste with which these critical stages were rushed through undermines the integrity of the proceedings.” The group highlighted that the judge ordered police to forcibly escort Imaan and Hadi out of the courtroom during the trial, preventing them from witnessing cross‑examinations. “The unlawful conduct towards Advocates Imaan and Hadi has grave implications not only for them personally but for the broader independence and safety of the legal community in Pakistan,” they added.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also voiced support for the lawyers, condemning what it calls the growing “misuse” of cybercrime, terrorism and judicial processes as a tool to punish legitimate dissent. In a post on X, HRCP warned: “The FIR filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under PECA criminalises criticism of the military’s conduct, violating constitutional and international protections on freedom of expression and fair trial. Moreover, the pressure on Ms Mazari‑Hazir and Mr Chattha, their arbitrary arrest despite court attendance and reported denial of counsel of choice, reflects a systemic intent to silence and exhaust voices defending victims of state violence.”
The rights organisation calls for the immediate dismissal of the unfounded charges and an end to intimidation tactics.
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