Scholars and academics of Pakistani origin based at leading universities in the United States and the United Kingdom have publicly demanded the immediate release of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, who remain in detention in Pakistan despite a Supreme Court order suspending their sentences. The signatories have called for all charges against the two lawyers to be dropped, framing the case as a direct challenge to freedom of expression and the rule of law in Pakistan.

Background: How the Two Lawyers Were Detained

According to reports, Mazari-Hazir and Chattha were sentenced to 17 years in prison in January 2026 under Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), reportedly over social media posts that were critical of alleged human rights abuses. The Supreme Court of Pakistan subsequently suspended their sentences and granted them bail on 17 September 2026. However, within hours of their release, police reportedly took both lawyers into custody in a separate case. They are said to be currently still under detention.

Who Signed the Statement and What They Said

The statement drew support from prominent academics across multiple institutions. Notable signatories include Ayesha Siddiqa of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Fahd Hamayun of Tufts University, Hashim bin Rashid of the University of Pennsylvania, Maria Rashid of the University of Wolverhampton, Raza Rumi of the City University of New York, Reem Khurshid of University College London, Yunus Samad of the University of Bradford, and Zoha Waseem of the University of Warwick.

The statement characterised the detentions as emblematic of a broader erosion of civil liberties. 'Criminal law must not become a weapon for silencing dissent or intimidating lawyers for their advocacy,' the signatories said. They further argued that a 17-year sentence for social media commentary was inconsistent with Pakistan's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), citing positions taken by the International Commission of Jurists.

The Lawyers' Human Rights Work

According to a report in Dawn, the academics noted that Mazari-Hazir had spoken out against enforced disappearances, represented victims and their families, and publicly challenged the Pakistani establishment. Chattha, for his part, had defended individuals facing blasphemy charges and represented prisoners on death row. The signatories argued that their detentions were directly linked to this advocacy work.

International Obligations and Calls for Action

The academics emphasised that Pakistan, as a state party to the ICCPR, is legally obligated to protect the right to criticise state institutions. They urged the Pakistani federal government, the judiciary, and other state institutions to fulfil the country's constitutional and international legal obligations, and to ensure that the two lawyers are not subjected to further arbitrary detention. This comes amid a broader pattern of concern from international legal bodies over the use of PECA to prosecute dissenting voices in Pakistan.

As international pressure mounts, the case is being closely watched by human rights organisations worldwide, with further advocacy expected if the lawyers' detention continues.