Activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, were arrested on Friday in Islamabad while reportedly on their way to the district courts.

Former minister and Imaan’s mother, Shireen Mazari, confirmed that the couple was taken into custody, placed in separate vehicles, and transported to undisclosed locations.

She expressed concern that no first information report (FIR) was presented at the time of arrest and that members of the legal fraternity were unable to intervene.

The couple had been scheduled to appear before a trial court in a case involving controversial social media posts, with arrest warrants issued by Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Afzal Majoka on January 16.

Fearing arrest, Imaan and Hadi had taken refuge at the office of Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Wajid Ali Gilani for two nights prior.

According to Gilani, police allegedly used force during the arrest, breaking vehicle windows and physically handling Imaan, Hadi, and other lawyers.

He emphasized that the authorities had previously committed to providing the couple safe passage to the court.

The Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Islamabad Bar Association, and Islamabad Bar Council condemned the arrests, calling them “illegal and unconstitutional” and a violation of fundamental human rights.

The legal community has called for the immediate release of Imaan and Hadi, a transparent and independent investigation into police conduct, and disciplinary action against those responsible.

The arrests have drawn attention to the importance of due process, protection of legal professionals, and the safeguarding of civil liberties in Pakistan.

Observers have underscored that ensuring lawyers can perform their duties without fear is essential to upholding the rule of law and justice.