Former minister says jail authorities denied meeting despite law, cites domestic and international rights
Former Federal Minister Shireen Mazari addresses a news conference in Islamabad. Her daughter Imaan Mazari can be seen in the rear side. PHOTO: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
Former federal minister Shireen Mazari filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday seeking her legal right to meet her daughter, Iman Mazari, and son-in-law, Hadi Ali Chatha, who are held in Adiala Jail.
Iman Mazari and Chatha were convicted on January 24 in Islamabad in a case linked to alleged posts and reposts on X that investigators termed “anti-state”. The case was registered in August 2025 by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, with allegations that the content aimed to undermine state institutions and align with proscribed organisations or individuals.
The convictions were widely condemned by members of the legal community, politicians and civil society.
Mazari told the court she had completed the biometric process required for the petition and had gone to Adiala Jail a day earlier to meet her family. “Despite it being the scheduled day, we were not allowed to meet them,” she said.
She said the main relief sought in the petition was enforcement of her right to meet them under jail laws. “I am a mother. I want to meet my daughter and my son-in-law, but you are preventing me,” she told the court.
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Mazari said the petition refers to both domestic law and Pakistan’s commitments under international human rights conventions. “Article 1 defines mental and physical abuse, which is being violated,” she said.
“Not only international laws, but even our own laws are being disregarded,” she added.
She said Pakistan’s standing under international law had traditionally been strong. “When we address India over Indus Water violations, we insist on compliance. We have consistently implemented our international agreements from the beginning,” she said.
Questioning the authorities’ current approach, she asked: “Pakistan’s position has remained strong. So why is it now being undermined?”
Earlier, Mazari appeared before the court in connection with the GHQ case and marked her attendance. “I have marked my attendance and am now going to Adiala Jail,” she told the media.
She added that despite her daughter and son-in-law being in custody, she was not being allowed to meet them. “If I cannot meet my own daughter, how will I meet Imran Khan?” she asked.
