ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Shireen Mazari approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, seeking urgent judicial intervention to secure permission for meeting her daughter, Imaan Zainab Mazari, and son-in-law, Hadi Ali Chatha, who are currently held in Adiala Jail.
The writ petition, submitted under Article 199 of the Constitution, was filed by a team of senior legal experts, which included Kamran Murtaza, members of the Islamabad Bar Council, and representatives from both the Islamabad High Court Bar Association and the District Bar Association.
Mazari alleged that prison authorities had completely severed communication between the detainees and their family as well as their legal counsel. She noted that this decision was taken without any formal directive, justification, or legal grounds. Despite her repeated attempts, she claimed she was denied visitation rights and left without any information about the physical condition, mental well-being, medical care, or living arrangements of her daughter and son-in-law.
The document further detailed that Imaan and Hadi had been convicted on January 24, 2026, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, and had remained in judicial custody since the sentencing.
The petition raised concerns that the detainees were being denied private access to their legal representatives, effectively blocking their ability to file an appeal, which is a time-sensitive and fundamental legal right. This situation was classified as “incommunicado detention,” which was argued to be in violation of constitutional protections outlined under Articles 4, 9, 10-A, and 14. These articles guarantee due process, the right to a fair trial, personal dignity, and humane treatment for individuals in custody.
Mazari also cited the Punjab Prison Rules of 1978 and international frameworks such as the UN Nelson Mandela Rules to highlight the state’s heightened responsibility toward those in detention.
As interim relief, she requested the Islamabad High Court to direct prison authorities to allow family visits and confidential meetings with legal counsel until the court reaches a final verdict on her petition.
The respondents named in the case include the Federation of Pakistan through the Interior Secretary, the Inspector General of Police Islamabad, and the Superintendent of Adiala Jail.
The Islamabad High Court has yet to schedule a hearing for the petition.
