Islamabad, 20 Aug, 2023 (GNP): In a series of overnight arrests, Pakistani authorities have detained human rights lawyer and activist Imaan Mazari-Hazir and politician Ali Wazir in Islamabad. The arrests have raised concerns among local and international observers, prompting condemnations for potential violations of due process and rights.
Imaan Mazari-Hazir, a renowned rights activist and lawyer, was reportedly taken into custody by police officials and individuals described as “men in plain clothes and masks” from her residence in the early hours of Sunday. The arrest, conducted without apparent arrest warrants or adherence to legal procedures, was met with criticism.
Mazari-Hazir’s mother, Shireen Mazari, a former human rights minister, expressed her concern in a post on X.
Just now police women, plainclothes people and r ager types took my daughter away after braking down our front door. Taking away our security cameras and her laptop and cell. We asked who they had xome for and they just dragged Imaan out. They marched all over the house. My…
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) August 19, 2023
Moments before her arrest, Mazari-Hazir posted about unidentified individuals dismantling security cameras at her home and breaching her property.
Unknown persons breaking down my home cameras banging gate jumped over
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) August 19, 2023
Ali Wazir, a co-founder of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) rights group and former lawmaker, was also arrested by police in Islamabad. The arrests of both individuals were announced by the Islamabad Police on X, stating that they were “wanted for investigation” and that all actions would be carried out within the framework of the law.
Zainab Janjua, a lawyer and colleague of Imaan Mazari-Hazir, confirmed her arrest and stated that her personal belongings, including her phone, laptop, and those of others, were allegedly confiscated by authorities.
Also Read: Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrested from Islamabad’s Red Zone
These arrests have prompted a swift and widespread outcry from various quarters, including local and international rights organizations, political leaders, and activists on social media. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan highlighted that these incidents contribute to a broader pattern of state-sanctioned violence against individuals exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
HRCP strongly condemns the arrest of lawyer @ImaanZHazir. The manner in which the @ICT_Police broke into her home, allegedly without a warrant, is unacceptable and points to a larger, more worrying pattern…
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) August 20, 2023
The arrests occurred shortly after Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Ali Wazir participated in a PTM rally in Islamabad. Concerns have been raised about the manner in which the arrests were conducted, emphasizing the importance of upholding due process and the rights of individuals even in times of investigation.