A Baloch nationalist leader Mir Javed Mengal condemned the recent arrests of human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Advocate Hadi Ali, describing it as an assault on fundamental rights in Pakistan. Mengal stated that Mazari and Ali have been pivotal in raising their voices against enforced disappearances in Balochistan and called on international human rights organizations to take immediate notice of these arbitrary detentions and advocate for their release.
In a statement from the Baloch Voice for Justice, Mazari’s arrest was condemned as a severe violation of freedom of expression. The organization expressed concern over the state’s actions, describing it as a dangerous trend to silence those standing up for justice and human rights. The organization highlighted Mazari’s unwavering dedication to addressing enforced disappearances, commending her for exposing state actions in court. “Imaan Mazari has become a symbol of resilience for many of us,” the statement said, noting that her contributions have raised awareness of enforced disappearances and other rights violations.
Shireen Mazari, Imaan’s mother and former human rights minister, expressed outrage at her daughter’s detention, calling it a blatant example of “state fascism in full swing.” She alleged that Islamabad police had “deliberately swung a steel barrier” into Imaan during a confrontation last week, injuring her. Shireen shared that her daughter was taken into custody early in the morning, highlighting the recent escalation of state actions against activists and human rights defenders.
Similarly, Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission (HRCP) called for the immediate release of Mazari and her husband, terming the charges against them as “vague” and without substance. The HRCP’s statement on X asserted, “Both are committed, well-respected human rights defenders, whose arbitrary arrest is symptomatic of the rapidly shrinking space for activists in Pakistan.” They demanded the charges be dropped and emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of citizens to engage in activism without fear.
Other prominent figures, including former PTI MPA Taimur Saleem Jhagra, criticized the arrests, describing Imaan and Ali as “strong voices for the oppressed in society” and urging immediate intervention for their release.
Hamid Mir, A veteran Pakistani journalist also condemned the couple’s detention, calling it “unacceptable” and cautioning that such actions could tarnish the reputation of Pakistan on a national and international level.
Mahrang Baloch, a leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, expressed her solidarity with Mazari, who she stated was representing her in court concerning a travel ban placed on her earlier this month. Baloch accused the authorities of deliberately targeting Imaan for her work on behalf of the missing persons’ cases, which she said exposed government and military actions in Balochistan. She reaffirmed her support for Mazari, highlighting the critical role she has played in pursuing justice within a legal system increasingly challenged by political interference.
Barrister Aqeel Malik, a spokesperson for the government on legal affairs, also voiced his opposition to the arrests, calling the incident “upsetting.” Speaking on Geo News, he condemned the mistreatment of activists and emphasized the need to reform the system of arbitrary roadblocks and VIP culture. Malik stated that as a lawyer, he finds such arrests indefensible and pledged to raise this issue at all available forums.
Barrister Khadija Siddiq also condemned the arrest and the three-day remand for Mazari and her husband by the court stating on X: “3 days physical remand for Imaan & Hadi! This judge is continuing his legacy of granting mechanical remands! A perverse, non speaking order without application of judicial mind! Lengthy remand granted on mere demand & cooperation with police! A routine matter- needs to be stopped by the superior courts!”
It’s worth noting that Imaan Mazari has been arrested in the past as well for raising her voice against human rights violations in Pakistan, especially against enforced disappearances and operations by Pakistani law-enforcement agencies in Balochistan and KPK. Mazari has also openly condemned and termed the Pakistan Army as “terrorists”.