IBC calls for strike against ‘unlawful’ arrests of Imaan, Chattha

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) on Friday called for a full strike by the legal fraternity today (Saturday) to protest against the “unlawful” arrests of advocates Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha by the Islamabad Capital Territory Police.

In a statement, the IBC urged all bar associations, advocates, and members of the legal community to observe the strike and abstain from court proceedings.

Members of the Pakistan Bar Council, Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), IBC, and Islamabad District Bar Association expressed deep concerns over the manner in which the arrests were carried out, accusing the authorities of complete disregard for due process, the dignity of legal professionals, and the sanctity of bar associations as independent institutions.

They also condemned the highly reprehensible conduct, including misbehaviour, assault, and torture, perpetrated by police officials against Syed Wajid Ali Shah Gillani, IHCBA president and Manzoor Ahmed Jajja Secretary IHCBA during the said incident.

The IBC statement also stated that the reported manhandling, intimidation, and disrespect shown to the office bearers of the IHCBA is not only unacceptable but amounts to a direct assault on the independence of the bar and the rule of law.

It added that the IBC considered such actions to be a blatant misuse of authority, aimed at harassing advocates and creating an atmosphere of fear and coercion within the legal community.

The Council reiterated that advocates are officers of the court and any act of high-handedness against them, particularly in the precincts or in connection with bar associations, will not be tolerated.

The IBC further demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Advocate Imaan Mazari and Advocate Hadi Ali Chattha, the initiation of a transparent and independent inquiry into the conduct of the police officials involved, and the taking of strict disciplinary action against all those responsible for the misbehaviour, high-handedness, and use of force against advocates and the office bearers of the bar associations.

Members of the Pakistani Bar Council (PBC) including Abid Zuberi, Shafqat Mehmood Chohan, Qazi Muhammad Arshad, Munir A Kakar, Salman Akram Raja, Salahuddin Ahmed, Abdul Sattar Khan and Muhammad Maqsood Buttar also strongly condemned the malafide arrest of lawyers, Imaan Mazari and Hadi All Chattha.

In their statement, the PBC members said they are absolutely clear, this brave couple is being punished solely for the sins of professionally representing victims of state oppression and speaking out against ongoing human rights abuses in Pakistan in order to set an example for others.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026