Human Rights Lawyer Imaan Mazari Arrested for Alleged Involvement in Sit-in and Interference in State Affairs

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Imaan Mazari, a well-known human rights lawyer, was apprehended from her residence in Islamabad. The Tarnol Police Station confirmed her arrest, citing reasons related to staging a sit-in, resisting authorities, and interfering in state matters.

Reportedly, plainclothes personnel entered her residence, allegedly locking the guard in the guardroom before breaking in. Her mother, Shireen Mazari, a former leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, expressed her concerns at the Islamabad district court. She questioned the abrupt entry into their home and the subsequent search of her room, during which her phone was confiscated.

Shireen Mazari further revealed that around 20 individuals, including six female police officers, entered their house. She termed the incident an “abduction” as they took Imaan away without any legal procedures, even denying her the opportunity to change her clothes.

Imaan Mazari herself had shared updates on X (previously known as Twitter) before her arrest. She mentioned “unknown persons” breaking their home cameras, banging the gate, and jumping over, indicating the events leading up to her detention.

Adding to the list of arrests, former member of the National Assembly from South Waziristan, Ali Wazir, was also apprehended by the Islamabad Police. Similar charges were attributed to him, particularly interfering in state matters.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned Imaan Mazari’s arrest and demanded her immediate and unconditional release. HRCP criticized the alleged intrusion into her home by the Islamabad Police without a valid warrant, highlighting a concerning pattern of state-sanctioned actions against those exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly.

This incident has raised significant concerns within the human rights community, prompting demands for transparency, adherence to legal procedures, and respect for the fundamental rights of individuals.