The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has mandated that they be informed before the arrest of human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir in any further cases. Imaan and former lawmaker Ali Wazir were arrested earlier this month following their participation in a rally organized by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), where both figures voiced criticisms against the military establishment’s role in enforced disappearances.
Despite being granted bail in a sedition case on August 28, Imaan was re-arrested in connection to a new terrorism case. However, she was released again after obtaining post-arrest bail on September 2.
Legal Proceedings and Protection Plea
Imaan’s legal team filed a plea last week seeking the details of the FIRs against her and a protective bail. The plea, aimed at safeguarding Imaan from further arrests and harassment, called for “protective omnibus bail,” allowing her to engage in the legal processes and investigation without the continuous threat of arrest. The plea highlighted a series of re-arrests, which gravely threaten Imaan’s fundamental rights, urging the IHC to dictate the terms of her treatment to the concerned authorities.
During the recent hearing, the Additional Attorney General was instructed by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb to inform the court about any new FIRs prior to taking action. The court emphasized that the repeated arrests based on new FIRs for the same incident were not warranted.
Concerns Raised Over Continuous Arrests
Imaan’s plea raised serious concerns regarding the repeated arrests and the treatment she has been receiving, which undermines her basic rights. It highlighted that the continuous cycle of arrests on different grounds, despite court proceedings, puts her at risk of persistent legal issues. It mentioned an instance where a judicial magistrate nullified a section from one of the FIRs, indicating a discrepancy in the charges framed against her. The plea calls for a measured approach where her detention should genuinely aid the investigation, not act as a means of harassment.
In light of the recent developments, Imaan’s plea insists on a fair and transparent process, safeguarding her from potential misuse of power and unwarranted restrictions on her freedom.
 takes significant steps to protect human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir from repeated arrests and harassment. Delve into the details of the recent court proceedings, the plea filed for her protection, and what this means for legal practices in Islamabad.){kind=link}