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A local court in the federal capital on Sunday remanded human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari into police custody in a case of “interference in state affairs”.
Imaan Hazir-Mazari was in Islamabad two days after she participated in the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) protest in the federal capital.
The arrest was confirmed by Capital Police, which said that “both the accused were wanted for investigation”.
اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس نے علی وزیر اور ایمان مزاری کوگرفتار کرلیا ہے۔
دونوں ملزمان اسلام آباد پولیس کو تفتیش کے لیے مطلوب تھے۔ تمام کارروائی قانون کے مطابق عمل میں لائی جائے گی۔
اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس کے شعبہ تعلقات عامہ کی جاری کردہ خبر کو ہی درست تسلیم کیا جائے۔ کوئی پولیس…
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) August 20, 2023
The statement said further action would be pursued in compliance with the law.
“Islamabad Capital Police has arrested Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari,” the police said on X (formerly Twitter). “Both suspects were wanted by the Islamabad Police for investigation.
All action will be taken in accordance with law.”
The police did not specify what case they were investigating the human rights lawyer and the lawmaker from South Waziristan in.
Unknown persons breaking down my home cameras banging gate jumped over
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) August 19, 2023
Imaan reported on X in the early hours of Sunday that “unknown persons breaking down my home cameras banging gate jumped over” before the development.
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
Imaan Mazari had delivered fiery speeches at the PTM protest two days ago. In response to the revival of terrorism in the erstwhile tribal areas and in demand of the release of those who support it, the PTM has organized a long march to Islamabad on August 18.
Imaan Mazari has been a tireless advocate for the people of Balochistan & Pashtun rights.
She has been abducted by Pakistani forces.
Baloch and Pashtun communities must stand together to demand her immediate release.
Release Imaan Mazari..#ReleaseImaanMazari pic.twitter.com/wumXi16aUr
— Fazila Baloch🌺☀️ (@IFazilaBaloch) August 20, 2023
Its supporters clashed with the police in their attempt to reach the Supreme Court of Pakistan where they planned to hold a rally.
Rights organizations, journalists, and activists have all strongly condemned the detention.
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 arrest of attorney and human rights advocate Imaan Mazari raised concerns from the National Commission for Human Rights. “Late night arrests without warrants as reported by her mother are in violation of due process of law and serve to harrass & spread fear amongst citizens,” it said on X.
NCHR is concerned by the arrest of lawyer & human rights defender Imaan Mazari. Late night arrests without warrants as reported by her mother are in violation of due process of law and serve to harrass & spread fear amongst citizens.
— National Commission for Human Rights (@nchrofficial) August 20, 2023
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also strongly condemned the arrest.
“The manner in which the Islamabad Police broke into her home, allegedly without a warrant, is unacceptable and points to a larger, more worrying pattern of state-sanctioned violence against people exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly,” it said in a post on X, calling for the lawyer’s release.
