Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha sentenced to 10 years each over 2024 cricket security case
An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi sentenced lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years each over allegations they disrupted security for an international cricket team's October 2024 visit. The couple deny the charges and call the case retaliation for their human rights work.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Thursday 29 October sentenced human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, to 10 years in prison each in the security breach case. Geo NewsN “sentenced lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to 10 years in prison each in the security breach case” Read at Geo News ↗ Gulf NewsN “sentenced prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to 10 years in prison each” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1The case, registered at Aabpara Police Station, stems from allegations that the couple interfered in state affairs and posed a security risk during an international cricket team's visit in October 2024. Geo NewsN “stems from allegations that the lawyer couple posed a security risk by interfering in state affairs during the visit of an international cricket team in October 2024” Read at Geo News ↗ Centre · 1Gulf News, citing Dawn, reports the prosecution alleged the couple removed barriers from a designated security route, obstructed officials and incited public unrest; it says they were tried on charges including obstructing public officials and violating provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Gulf NewsN “the couple allegedly removed barriers from a designated security route, obstructed officials and incited public unrest”“charges including obstructing public officials and violating provisions of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 1Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the verdict at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi; according to Geo News as cited by Gulf News, each received a 10-year term and a Rs100,000 fine under the Anti-Terrorism Act, plus shorter terms and fines under other provisions, with the sentences running concurrently. Gulf NewsN “Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the verdict at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi”“The judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning each defendant will serve a total of 10 years under Thursday’s verdict” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2Before the verdict, defence lawyer Aimal Mandokhail asked for a postponement, arguing that petitions were still pending before the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court, including a request to transfer the case, and that the court could not legally decide meanwhile; the court went ahead. Geo NewsN “The decision should be postponed until the petitions pending before the Supreme Court and high court are decided” Read at Geo News ↗ Gulf NewsN “However, the court proceeded to announce its judgment.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1Both defendants pleaded not guilty when indicted on 7 October; the prosecution presented seven witnesses, who were cross-examined by a court-appointed state lawyer. Gulf NewsN “Both denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty when they were formally indicted on October 7.”“The prosecution presented seven witnesses during the trial, while a court-appointed state lawyer conducted their cross-examination.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 1In statements to the court, Mazari called herself "a prisoner of conscience who has been at the receiving end of state persecution", said the proceedings violated their right to a fair trial, and complained that the couple were presented in a cage during the jail trial; the couple say the cases are politically motivated and punish them for giving free legal help to marginalised communities. Gulf NewsN ““I am a prisoner of conscience who has been at the receiving end of state persecution,” Mazari said in her statement, according to Dawn.”“Mazari also complained that the couple had been presented in a cage during the jail trial” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1The verdict follows earlier cases: after their arrest on 23 January, a sessions court sentenced them to 17 years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act over social media posts, drawing criticism from lawyers, rights groups and UN experts. Gulf NewsN “A day later, a sessions court sentenced them to 17 years in prison on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act”“drew criticism from lawyers, rights organisations and United Nations experts” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1On 17 September the Supreme Court suspended those sentences and granted bail pending appeals, but the couple were arrested again hours later in the cricket case; the Islamabad High Court declined to halt the trial on 19 October, and they went to the Supreme Court. Gulf NewsN “On September 17, the Supreme Court suspended the sentences in the social media case and granted the couple bail”“The Islamabad High Court declined to halt the trial on October 19, prompting the couple to approach the Supreme Court.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 2Geo News describes its report as a developing story; the sentences can still be challenged before higher courts. Geo NewsN “This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.” Read at Geo News ↗ Gulf NewsN “their challenges to earlier convictions and related proceedings continue before the higher courts” Read at Gulf News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre3 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets report the sentencing as a court-news event. Geo News gives a short breaking report built around the verdict and the defence's request for postponement. Gulf News gives a fuller account that sets the verdict within the couple's earlier convictions and their persecution claims.
- Emphasis
- Geo News stresses the defence's argument that pending petitions should delay the verdict. Gulf News stresses the procedural history, the couple's statements and the rights concerns.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet quotes the prosecution or government at length on the evidence. Geo News's early report gives no sentencing details or background on earlier cases.
- Charged language
- “prisoner of conscience”“state persecution”
- For example
-
“The lawyer for Mazari and Chattha had sought a postponement of the verdict, arguing that their petitions were still pending” — Geo News
“The ruling comes amid continuing legal battles involving the couple, who have repeatedly alleged that criminal proceedings against them are retaliation for their human rights activism” — Gulf News
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- An ATC in Rawalpindi sentenced Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years each on 29 October.
- The case concerns the October 2024 visit of an international cricket team.
- The defence sought a postponement because petitions were pending before higher courts.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether the case is legitimate
- Centre
- Gulf News reports the prosecution's allegations and the court's conviction, and says the court did not accept the couple's allegations of persecution; the couple say it is retaliation for their human rights work.
Imaan Mazari person
Mazari denies wrongdoing, calls herself a prisoner of conscience facing state persecution, and says the trial violated fair-trial rights.
““I am a prisoner of conscience who has been at the receiving end of state persecution,” Mazari said in her statement, according to Dawn.” — Gulf News
Hadi Ali Chattha person
Chattha pleaded not guilty and, with Mazari, says the case is politically motivated; their lawyer argued the verdict should wait for pending higher-court petitions.
“Mazari and Chattha have maintained that the cases against them are politically motivated” — Gulf News
“The decision should be postponed until the petitions pending before the Supreme Court and high court are decided” — Geo News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre3 articles
-
Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha sentenced to 10 years each in security breach case
Neutral Brief breaking report of the verdict, with the defence's postponement argument and no commentary.
-
Pakistan human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari, husband jailed for 10 years each in terrorism case
Sympathetic Detailed report that gives the couple's persecution claims and the rights criticism of earlier convictions much space, while stating the court's findings.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 29 Oct 08:16 First Geo NewsN Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha sentenced to 10 years each in security breach case
- 29 Oct 11:52 +3h 37m Gulf NewsN Pakistan human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari, husband jailed for 10 years each in terrorism case
- 29 Oct 12:31 +4h 15m Hindustan TimesN Pakistan court sentences human rights lawyer couple to 10 years in security breach case via Reuters
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…