Pakistani human rights lawyers sentenced over social media postsCEFR B1
20 Feb 2026
Adapted from Syed Salman Mehdi, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Hamid Roshaan, Unsplash
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, both human rights lawyers from Pakistan, were sentenced on 24 January 2026 to 17 years in prison. Prosecutors say the couple posted and shared tweets from 2021 to 2025 that criticized the military over enforced disappearances and other abuses.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency filed a complaint in August 2025 and the court formally indicted them on 30 October 2025 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Evidence presented in court reportedly included screenshots, reposts of tweets, and witness statements; four prosecution witnesses testified.
Defence lawyers said they were not given adequate opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and were denied full access to case files. The couple were arrested on 23 January 2026 while driving to court despite protective bail, and they later boycotted the final hearing, alleging mistreatment in custody. The judge delivered the verdict in under a minute.
The fast trial and the application of PECA—criticized as vague—led to condemnations from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN Human Rights Office and the European Union, while Pakistani officials said the matter was an internal affair.
Difficult words
- sentence — give a legal punishment after a convictionsentenced
- prosecutor — lawyer who brings a criminal case for stateProsecutors
- indict — formally charge someone with a crimeindicted
- evidence — facts or material used to prove something
- witness — person who saw or heard events and testifieswitness statements, witnesses
- cross-examine — ask a witness questions to check testimony
- bail — temporary release from custody before a trial
- custody — state of being held by police or authorities
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think the fast trial described in the article was fair? Why or why not?
- How important is access to case files and the ability to cross-examine witnesses in a trial? Give reasons.
- What could Pakistani officials do to respond to international criticism about this case?
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