The Islamabad police said that human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali were taken into custody on Monday.
“Taking legal action, Islamabad police have arrested Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali for creating a security risk by interfering in state duties during an international cricket team’s visit,” the police said on X. Imaan’s mother, Shireen Mazari, a former human rights minister, claimed that her daughter was taken into custody this morning.
“This morning, Imaan Mazari was taken into custody. In a post on X, Shireen said, “State fascism in full swing.” She said that the Islamabad police had “swung a steel barrier deliberately into her, assaulting her” on Friday, referring to a rumored video shared on X. The former human rights minister said the police action had “injured” her daughter.
A video being shared via online entertainment purportedly shows Imaan and her significant other moving street hindrances to make the way for traffic.
As the lawyers make multiple attempts to remove the barriers, traffic constables and a man in a jacket can be seen moving them back to their original positions to close the road.
Ali reacted by pushing the jacketed man back when he was seen pushing the barrier toward Imaan, who was standing on the other side.
On October 25, 2024, this screengrab is said to show a man pushing a barrier toward human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari on a road in Islamabad. via X/DrSyeda_Sadaf In August of last year, the Islamabad police arrested Imaan and former legislator Ali Wazir in a case of sedition related to a speech they gave at a rally.
She was re-arrested on the same day in a terrorism case outside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after receiving bail in that case after more than a week.
After receiving post-arrest bail from an Islamabad anti-terrorism court, she was released from jail on September 2, 2023.
Arrests condemned The couple’s arrest on “vague charges of ‘creating a security risk'” was condemned by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
“Both are dedicated and well-liked human rights advocates, and their arbitrary arrest is indicative of the rapidly decreasing space available to activists in Pakistan.” In a post on X, the group stated, “Ms. Mazari-Hazir and Mr. Ali must be released immediately and unconditionally, and all charges against them must be dropped.” Former PTI MPA Taimur Saleem Jhagra criticized Imaan and Ali’s arrest and demanded their immediate release.
Despite their criticism of my party, people like Imaan are the most outspoken advocates for the oppressed in society. “The struggle for a society where the law is not at someone’s discretion, is only going to be winnable when all those voices who actually care about a just society and the end of this police state, join forces for a principle,” he said in a post on X. “Their courage needs to be recognised and celebrated.” This is the moment.
In a post on X, seasoned journalist Hamid Mir referred to the couple’s arrest as “unacceptable,” stating that it “may satisfy the egos of some powerful people but it will give very bad name not only to [Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif] but to the whole state of Pakistan.”
In the meantime, Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, stated that she was “deeply troubled” to learn of Ali and Imaan’s arrest. She claimed that Imaan was representing her in a case concerning a travel ban that was imposed on her earlier this month.
“I have no doubt that Imaan has been the target because of her work, particularly her advocacy in court against forced disappearances. As a lawyer, Imaan has been the target of constant harassment and arrests.
