Lawyers' body announces boycott of court proceedings in Islamabad on Saturday to protest Imaan, Hadi's rearrest

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Asad, M. (2026, September 18). Lawyers' body announces boycott of court proceedings in Islamabad on Saturday to protest Imaan, Hadi's rearrest. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/2030882/lawyers-body-announces-boycott-of-court-proceedings-in-islamabad-on-saturday-to-protest-imaan-hadis-rearrest

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The Islamabad Bar Association announced a boycott of court proceedings in Islamabad on September 19 to protest the rearrest of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha after their release on bail by the Supreme Court. The couple was arrested again on charges unrelated to their initial social media case, leading the IBA to criticize what it sees as a violation of judicial independence and fundamental rights.

Written by AI on 2026-09-18, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

On Thursday, human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha were rearrested hours after the Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended their 17-year sentences for charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act related to social media posts. The couple was originally arrested for allegedly chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads, leading to their arrest in a second case soon after their release from Adiala jail. An anti-terrorism court subsequently remanded them back into custody.

This swift rearrest has sparked widespread criticism and condemnation from journalists and lawyers across Pakistan, with many labeling the actions as a "mockery of justice." The Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) has announced a boycott of all court proceedings in the federal capital on Saturday, September 19, to protest against Imaan and Hadi's continued detention despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. The re-imprisonment is viewed as an attack on legal professionals and their commitment to defending victims of state abuse. Amnesty International has also weighed in, emphasizing the need for justice and human rights protection in Pakistan.

Written for “Imaan Hadi Sentencing” on 2026-11-02, grounded in this article and the 8 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 Imaan Hadi Sentencing

Politics · 9 article(s) covering the same event. See how they differ ↓

Compared with similar articles

This article reads leans strongly left and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Lawyers’ body to boycott Islamabad court proceedings on Saturday in protest against Imaan, Hadi’s rearrest Same event

Dawn

Hedges 0 of 18 claims Outlet record 72/100

Imran Khan’s sons accuse Pakistani army chief of vendetta against imprisoned father Different event

The Guardian

Hedges 3 of 49 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different events: one about Imran Khan's sons' accusations against the army chief regarding their father's imprisonment, and another about lawyers boycotting court proceedings to protest the rearrest of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.”

'Mockery of justice': Journalists, lawyers condemn Imaan, Hadi's rearrest hours after bail Different event

Dawn

Hedges 0 of 23 claims Outlet record 72/100

“While both articles discuss the rearrest of Imaan and Hadi, Article A describes the specific incident of their rearrest outside Adiala jail, while Article B reports on a subsequent reaction to that event, with lawyers announcing a boycott in protest.”

An attack on the bar: The re-imprisonment of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha Same event

Dawn

⚖️ Leans strongly left Hedges 1 of 27 claims Outlet record 72/100

PTI bent upon Islamabad march Different event

Dawn

Hedges 3 of 41 claims Outlet record 72/100

“Article A reports on a boycott announcement by lawyers in Islamabad regarding the rearrest of Imaan and Hadi, while Article B discusses PTI's plans for a protest march despite arrests of party supporters.”

Al-Qadir Trust case: Bushra Bibi moves FCC for early hearing of sentence suspension plea Different event

Dawn

Hedges 2 of 21 claims Outlet record 72/100

“The articles describe two different events: one about Bushra Bibi's plea for an early hearing to suspend her sentence, and another about lawyers boycotting court proceedings due to the rearrest of Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.”

SC suspends Imaan, Hadi's sentences in controversial social media posts case, orders their release Different event

Dawn

Hedges 2 of 20 claims Outlet record 72/100

“The first article describes the suspension and release of Imaan and Hadi, while the second article covers their rearrest after the court's decision to suspend sentences, indicating different specific incidents at distinct times.”

Imaan, Hadi sent on judicial remand in another case after SC suspends sentences Different event

Dawn

Hedges 5 of 53 claims Outlet record 72/100

“While both articles discuss Imaan and Hadi's legal situation, Article A describes their remand by an anti-terrorism court, while Article B discusses a protest announcement in response to their rearrest, which appears to be a different specific incident.”

Civil society decries delay in hearing Imaan, Hadi’s pleas Different event

Dawn

⚖️ Leans strongly left Hedges 2 of 10 claims Outlet record 72/100

“The articles describe different events, one about a delay in hearing their case and another about their rearrest after being ordered for release.”

SC suspends Imaan, Hadi's sentences in controversial social media posts case Different event

Dawn

Hedges 0 of 7 claims Outlet record 72/100

“Article A reports on the Supreme Court suspending sentences, while Article B discusses a subsequent rearrest following the suspension, indicating different occurrences.”

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0 of 12 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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72/100

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Malik Asad

44 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 The judgement clarified that although police could maintain internal records of criminal cases for official purposes, such information could not be disclosed in character certificates issued to citizens, particularly when these were required for travelling abroad.

2026-11-01 · assertive framing · Islamabad High Court bars FIR mention in character certificates after acquittal

🔮 Following the completion of the trial and final arguments, the court reserved its verdict and said that it would be pronounced on Oct 29.

2026-10-29 · assertive framing · ATC sentences Imaan, Hadi to 10 years in security breach case

🔮 “But we surrender ourselves before the ultimate court where we all must return one day, where all will be held accountable for what they have done.”

2026-10-28 · assertive framing · Imaan, Hadi allege security breach case 'nothing more than harassment' for their human rights work

🔮 He will preside over a single bench at the Rawalpindi registry.

2026-10-27 · assertive framing · Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani posted to Pindi bench after reshuffle at Lahore High Court

🔮 While offering yet another opportunity to human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Hazir-Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha to record their statements in a security breach case, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday warned them that a verdict could come even without their testimony if they refused.

2026-10-25 · assertive framing · ATC warns Imaan, husband of verdict sans testimony

🔮 Meanwhile, no prosecution witness could be cross-examined during Thursday’s hearing amid the dispute over the state counsel’s appointment.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · ATC replaces state counsel in security breach case after Imaan, Hadi object to appointment

🔮 Justice Malik remarked with a smile, “In that case, you might as well remove our badges too, as we are also currently serving as additional judges.”

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Islamabad High Court seeks evidence against NAB officials’ appointments

🔮 Describing the charge as the foundation of a trial, Azad maintained that any defect in its framing would undermine the legality of the subsequent proceedings.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · IHC takes up Imaan, Hadi’s appeals against framing of charges in security breach case

🔮 He warned that they could face imprisonment if it was not presented before the court.

2026-10-17 · assertive framing · Islamabad ATC summons Islamabad police chief in security breach case against Imaan and Hadi

🔮 On the application filed by the defence, he said, “I have received your applications; I will issue an order regarding this.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Imaan, Hadi walk out of proceedings after objecting to jail trial in security breach case

Also by Malik Asad

Islamabad High Court bars FIR mention in character certificates after acquittal

2026-11-01 · Dawn

ATC sentences Imaan, Hadi to 10 years in security breach case

2026-10-29 · Dawn

ATC sentences Imaan, Hadi to 10-years each security breach case

2026-10-29 · Dawn

Imaan, Hadi allege security breach case 'nothing more than harassment' for their human rights work

2026-10-28 · Dawn

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 44 articles by Malik Asad →

Claims (12 extracted, 0 hedged)

The Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) has announced a boycott of court proceedings in the federal capital for Saturday (September 19) to protest the rearrest of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, after the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and ordered their release on bail. asserted

Court → announce → bail

Imaan and Hadi were arrested late on Thursday in a second case after the SC ordered their release in a case pertaining to their posts on social media. asserted

SC → arrest → media

The couple was sentenced to 17 years on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) in the case. asserted

couple → sentence → case

However, soon after their release on Thursday, Islamabad police personnel arrested the two outside Adiala jail in connection with another case and produced them before an anti-terrorism court, which sent them to jail on judicial remand. asserted

which → arrest → remand

The second case was registered at the federal capital’s Kohsar police station on March 22, 2025 on a complaint by City Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Chandio. asserted

case → register → Chandio

Imaan and her husband were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads and were named in the first information report (FIR). asserted

Imaan → accuse → report

The IBA expressed concern over the couple’s rearrest in a statement on Friday and announced that lawyers would not appear before any court in the capital on Sept 19 (Saturday). asserted

lawyers → express → Sept

The bar association said the arrest undermined the sanctity of judicial proceedings and amounted to a violation of fundamental rights and the rule of law. asserted

arrest → say → law

It also expressed strong reservations over the practice of arresting individuals in connection with “unknown” FIRs. asserted

It → express → FIRs

The IBA held that any attempt to circumvent or frustrate court orders was unacceptable. asserted

attempt → hold → orders

It demanded the immediate release of Imaan and Hadi and called for complete details of the cases and circumstances surrounding their arrests to be made public. asserted

details → demand → arrests

The association vowed to take every possible measure to safeguard judicial independence, uphold the rule of law and protect fundamental human rights. asserted

association → vow → rights

Lawyers' body announces boycott of court proceedings in Islamabad on Saturday to protest Imaan, Hadi's rearrest

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Claims (12 extracted, 0 hedged)