Imaan Mazari-Hazir (right) and Hadi Ali Chattha (left) are human rights lawyers. They are also a married couple in their thirties who met while representing a mutual client in court. When they’re not working long hours, they love eating out together and meeting up with friends.
The pair have dedicated their careers to representing victims of state oppression – something that is not without risk in Pakistan. Despite threats and harassment by the authorities, they bravely persisted.
Imaan said: “Not once have I considered stopping my advocacy work due to these threats. If you keep looking over your shoulder, it derails you from the cause and your detractors win.”
On 24 January 2026, Imaan and Hadi were given long prison sentences for their posts on social media expressing solidarity with Baloch and Pashtun activists and criticizing the Pakistan military. Their conviction reflects the Pakistani authorities’ use of the justice system to crack down on freedom of expression, silencing critics and punishing lawyers to consolidate their power and control.
Imaan and Hadi should be doing their vital work and the things they love. Instead, they have been locked up and kept apart.
Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha must be unconditionally released and all charges against them dropped immediately