ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Shireen Mazari on Tuesday approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking enforcement of her legal right to meet her daughter Iman Mazari and son-in-law Hadi Ali Chatha, who are currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail.
In her petition, Mazari stated that despite completing the required biometric process and visiting the jail on the scheduled meeting day, she was not allowed to see them. “We were not allowed to meet them despite it being the scheduled day,” she told the court.
Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha were convicted on January 24 in Islamabad in a case related to posts and reposts on X (formerly Twitter), which authorities described as “anti-state.” The case was registered in August 2025 by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, alleging that the content aimed to undermine state institutions and supported banned individuals or organizations.
The verdict has drawn widespread criticism from members of the legal community, politicians, and civil society groups, who have raised concerns over freedom of expression and due process.
Addressing the court, Mazari emphasized that her petition seeks enforcement of rights guaranteed under jail rules and domestic law, as well as Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights conventions. “I am a mother. I want to meet my daughter and my son-in-law, but you are preventing me,” she said.
She further argued that denying visitation amounted to mental and physical abuse, citing Article 1 of relevant international instruments, and maintained that both international and local laws were being violated in the matter.
Mazari also referenced Pakistan’s historical stance on honoring international obligations, noting that the country regularly demands compliance from others on international agreements. “We have always honored our international obligations right from the start,” she told the court.
The petition is expected to be taken up by the IHC for further hearing in the coming days.
