ISLAMABAD: Prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir haslevelled serious allegations against Director General Inter-Services PublicRelations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, claiming hisrecent press conference remarks amounted to an attempt to prejudice herongoing trial in a controversial social media posts case. This developmenthas intensified debates over civil-military relations and judicialindependence in Pakistan.
On January 7, Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha filed an applicationin an Islamabad district court seeking to summon the DG ISPR as a defencewitness. They argued that statements made by the military spokespersonduring a January 6 briefing indirectly referenced Mazari, potentiallyinfluencing the proceedings under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act(PECA).
The case stems from a first information report registered in 2025, accusingthe couple of disseminating content that allegedly incited linguisticdivisions and propagated narratives aligned with proscribed organisations.Mazari has consistently denied the charges, framing them as reprisal forher advocacy on enforced disappearances and human rights violations inBalochistan.
During the hearing, Mazari played excerpts from the DG ISPR’s pressconference, where he discussed counter-terrorism efforts in 2025 andcriticised individuals promoting terrorism under the guise of human rights.Although no names were explicitly mentioned, Mazari contended that thecontext implicated her, given her representation of accused persons fromBaloch separatist groups.
Legal experts note that summoning a serving military officer as a witnessin such circumstances is unprecedented and raises questions about theseparation of powers. The prosecution opposed the application, stating itcannot be compelled to call specific witnesses and that the remarks weregeneral in nature, not targeting sub judice matters.
The court ultimately dismissed the plea, observing that Mazari failed tocite relevant legal provisions justifying the summons. This rejection hasbeen interpreted by some as upholding prosecutorial discretion, whilecritics view it as evidence of institutional pressures on the judiciary.
Data from human rights organisations indicate a rise in cases againstactivists under cyber laws, with over 150 PECA registrations reported in2025 alone by the Digital Rights Foundation. Many involve allegations ofdefamatory content against state institutions, highlighting growingtensions between free expression and national security narratives.
Mazari, daughter of former federal minister Shireen Mazari, has a historyof confronting military policies. She has represented high-profile clientsin missing persons cases and faced multiple arrests since 2023, includingunder anti-terrorism provisions, which international bodies like AmnestyInternational have condemned as judicial harassment.
The DG ISPR’s briefing detailed 2025 operations, claiming significantreductions in terrorist incidents following intelligence-based actions. Italso addressed proxy warfare, accusing certain elements of facilitatingseparatists through legal and media platforms, without naming individuals.
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Supporters of Mazari argue that her application underscores the need foraccountability in public statements by state officials. They point toArticle 10A of the Constitution, guaranteeing fair trial rights, and warnthat perceived interference erodes public trust in the justice system.
Conversely, military spokespersons maintain that briefings on nationalsecurity are within their mandate and do not constitute contempt orprejudice. Historical precedents show rare instances of civil litigationinvolving ISPR officials, often resolved without direct confrontations.
As the trial progresses, with cross-examination of prosecution witnessesongoing, this episode has sparked widespread discussion on social media andamong legal circles. Analysts predict it could influence future discourseon military-civilian boundaries in public commentary.
International observers, including Front Line Defenders, have expressedconcern over the sustained targeting of Mazari and Chattha, citing risks todue process and freedom of expression in Pakistan.
The case continues to unfold amid broader debates on democratic norms, withimplications for how state institutions engage with criticism in anincreasingly digital public sphere.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1965621
Tags: Imaan Mazari, DG ISPR, Pakistan Military, Judicial Interference, PECACase