Activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, were arrested by police in Islamabad on Friday while reportedly en route to the district courts. The arrest came ahead of their scheduled appearance in a trial court in the controversial tweets case.
Read More: Imaan, husband spend second night at IHC Bar amid arrest fears
Shireen Mazari, former federal minister and Imaan’s mother, confirmed the arrests in posts on X, stating that the couple had been taken in separate vehicles to undisclosed locations. She claimed that no first information report (FIR) was shown and criticised the bar association for being unable to intervene, calling the incident “fascism at its peak.”
So much for any due process. Seems they used violence on Imaan & Hadi also. pic.twitter.com/e0DjaW3WCJ
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 23, 2026
The police used violence on the bar leaders incl breaking the windows of the car etc. All bec the twitter case had been exposed & more embarrassment would have followed in further cross today. Esp as it seems the tech off being cross exam has suddenly resigned from his job! https://t.co/SKl1QfcZs2
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 23, 2026
No FIR shown, masked men, violence. State of play! pic.twitter.com/L48eOBPdgZ
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 23, 2026
The arrest follows the issuance of warrants on January 16 by Additional District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Afzal Majoka after the couple failed to appear in court despite repeated summons. According to videos shared by Shireen Mazari, police stopped the lawyers’ car near Serena Chowk, allegedly broke its windows, and used force to remove them.
Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Wajid Ali Gilani stated that authorities had previously assured safe passage to the district court. He alleged that police also pushed and beat bar officials accompanying the couple. He described the arrests as “illegal and unconstitutional” and warned that continued oppression could trigger a renewed lawyers’ movement reminiscent of 2007.
Both the IHCBA and the Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) condemned the arrests. The IBA announced a full strike on Friday, calling for the immediate release of the couple and emphasising the constitutional right of every Pakistani to legal representation.
Read More: IHC grants bail to Imaan, spouse in ‘terror case’
The case against Imaan and Hadi pertains to controversial social media posts, which have drawn attention from multiple legal and civil society stakeholders. Authorities have not issued a statement regarding the circumstances of the arrests.