Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is concerned over the harsh 17-year conviction handed to human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse, Hadi Ali Chattha, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The sentencing of the lawyers represents a deeply troubling escalation in the use of cybercrime laws to target dissent and critical online expression in Pakistan.
Mazari and Chatha have represented journalists and media professionals in various cases, and, in an environment where journalists are often the target of cases and other punitive measures, including under PECA, the conviction of the two will further weaken the protections and recourse available for journalists. Their conviction under PECA should raise alarm bells about the potential use of the law in other future instances as well.
Freedom of expression is a Constitutional right, and its erosion through expansive, punitive interpretations of cybercrime law poses a profound threat to press freedom and democratic accountability in the country.
In the verdict dated January 24, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka stated that the “prosecution has been able to prove its case against both the accused” under Sections 9, 10 and 26-A of PECA. The court imposed five years of rigorous imprisonment and a Rs. 5 million (approx. 54,539 USD) fine each under Section 9, ten years and a Rs. 30 million fine each under Section 10, and two years and a Rs1 million fine each under Section 26-A, with additional imprisonment in case of non-payment.
The verdict stated that Mazari had “consistently disseminated highly offensive, misleading and anti-state contents on social media,” allegedly with the “active connivance” of Chattha. Judge Majoka claimed: “She propagated a narrative that aligned with hostile terrorist groups and proscribed organisations and individuals,” and that her posts “incited ethnic hatred, undermined public trust [in] state organisations and portrayed the armed forces are behind terrorism and forced disappearances.” The judgment further asserted that these posts “portrayed the agenda” of the banned Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Judge Majoka added: “Both the accused persons are advocates by profession and they have fully knowledge that Pakistan is not included in the list of terrorist states but they have intentionally in their tweets mentioned Pakistan as a terrorist state, which in fact is the agenda of BLA, TTP.”
The judgment went on to stated that the duo’s online activity expressed “solidarity and support for the proscribed individuals or organisations.” The court rejected defence arguments that mere views about individuals cannot amount to “glorification,” asserting that PECA defines glorification as including “any form of praise or celebration.”
The case originates from an August 2025 First Information Report (FIR) filed at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Islamabad accusing Mazari of “disseminating and propagating narratives that align with hostile terrorist groups and proscribed organisations,” of blaming security forces for missing persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and of portraying them as ineffective against proscribed groups, including the BLA and TTP. Chattha was implicated for reposting and amplifying her content. Judge Majoka issued arrest warrants on November 5, 2025, after months of contentious proceedings involving refusals by court-appointed counsel to cross-examine witnesses, repeated delays, and the cancellation of interim bail. Meanwhile, separate cases were also initiated against the couple for a Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protest and a scuffle near the Islamabad High Court.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the arrest of the duo.
In contrast, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar praised the verdict, “As you sow, so shall you reap! The first official and final result of Peca. One should fear God.”
