Barrister Iman Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha: Guardians of Justice Amidst Darkness

Although I have never met in person such a wonderful and robust lawyer as Barrister Iman Zainab Mazari, I have been following her work closely, both live and through publications on social media, for a long time. She is firmly and devotedly supported by her remarkable husband-lawyer, Hadi Ali Chatha. Observing them, one cannot help but feel the presence of genuine courage, moral clarity, and devotion to truth. People may say many things about public figures, but I speak openly: they are true mu’mins), in essence and in action. Their lives and work exemplify what it means to defend the weak, the oppressed, and the voiceless, not for fame, wealth, or recognition, but out of conscience, faith, and dedication to humanity.

Both Iman and Hadi fight tirelessly for human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, and many other causes with extraordinary zeal and bravery. They stand beside those who are vulnerable and marginalized, often taking up cases voluntarily for people who cannot afford legal representation. Their noble example brings to mind Advocate Ehsan Ali of Gilgit-Baltistan, who has similarly devoted himself to protecting the weak and voiceless in his region. In a society where so-called lawyers exploit cases for personal gain and side with the oppressors—whether they wear military uniforms or civilian suits—the selfless work of Iman and Hadi emerges as a beacon of hope and moral rectitude.

In observing the actions of Barrister Iman Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, one cannot help but see the living embodiment of what the Holy Qur’an characterizes as a Mu’min and Mu’mina. While the term literally refers to a believer or faithful person, the Qur’an consistently emphasizes that true faith is expressed through righteous action, moral courage, and the defense of the oppressed. Both Iman and Hadi demonstrate these qualities with remarkable consistency. They stand courageously for human rights, advocate tirelessly for the weak and marginalized, and provide legal assistance without expectation of reward. Their fearlessness in confronting injustice, their unwavering commitment to truth, and their protection of the vulnerable mirror the Qur’anic call for believers to “command good and forbid evil” and to act with justice and sincerity (Al-Mu’minūn 23:1–8, At-Tawbah 9:71). By these measures, they are Mu’min and Mu’mina in the highest sense: their faith is not merely spoken but lived through ethical deeds, serving as a guiding example for society and illuminating the path of justice and righteousness, even amidst systemic oppression and danger.

Their commitment is not a performance for the cameras or social media accolades. It is a lived reality, an ethical stance that costs them their peace, personal security, and freedom. Theirs is a quiet heroism, grounded in action rather than rhetoric. Such rare humans deserve not only respect but also protection. They defend the rights of ordinary citizens when the system fails, when courts and authorities hesitate, when fear paralyzes others. In the face of threats, intimidation, and systemic injustice, they remain steadfast. They stand at the very top among the few honorable lawyers who are relied upon and loved by the weakest and most vulnerable segments of society.

The recent events at Islamabad High Court demonstrate the price of this courage. The judiciary, deeply compromised and influenced by the military establishment, insulted both Iman and Hadi, forcing them out of the courtroom. Without their presence, an unlawful judgment is being prepared to send them to prison for an extended period. This action is designed to silence voices that speak boldly against human rights violations, to create fear, and to dissuade others from raising legitimate concerns. It is not merely a legal matter; it is an ethical test for the nation, an indication of how far institutional powers can go to suppress truth and justice.

Their case is a warning but also a mirror. In recent months, journalists who have practiced objective reporting and reported on human rights abuses have faced similar threats and punishments. Sohrab Barkat of Kashmir was harassed under cybercrime laws for reporting truths that those in power wished to conceal. Aga Sarwar, Rai Ghulam Ali, Shakir Awan, and many others have also been subjected to intimidation for doing their duty as journalists in exposing injustices. The pattern is clear: those who hold power accountable are punished, those who speak truth to authority are silenced, and those who defend the marginalized face intimidation and imprisonment.

On an even broader scale, for instance, the former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife, his sisters, his nephews, and thousands of PTI workers and leaders, currently the newly elected CM of KP Sohail Khan Afridi, Dr. Mahran Baloch and her entire fellows, members of PTM and many others across Pakistan are the worst examples from Balochistan to Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Their common crime is raising their just voices against the entrenched dominance of military generals in Pakistan’s politics. For over two years, they have endured imprisonment, harassment, and deprivation, simply for advocating civilian supremacy and transparency in governance. Their crime, if it can be called that, is to challenge a system that has, for decades, concentrated power in the hands of a few military elites, exploiting natural resources, public budgets, businesses, and institutions for personal gain. This context underscores that the struggle of Iman and Hadi is not isolated. It is part of a larger pattern of suppression that affects journalists, activists, political workers, and ordinary citizens alike.

Yet despite these circumstances, Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha remain unbowed. They do not seek power or recognition. They fight for justice in its purest sense, for the protection of rights that many have long forgotten exist. They represent hope for those who live in fear, courage for those who have been silenced, and an example for the entire nation. Their integrity and commitment make them rare and invaluable human beings. They are a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there are individuals willing to stand for truth, and in doing so, illuminate the path for others.

It is therefore not acceptable to reduce their work to trivial terms, to remark on their appearance, gender, or other superficial characteristics. Such reductions do injustice to their immense contribution. They must be recognized for their service, their courage, and their unwavering commitment to the law and humanity. They are more than lawyers; they are defenders of the conscience of the nation.

As a witness to their work and as someone who deeply respects their courage, I appeal to all human rights champions, leaders, and activists across the globe to raise their voices against these injustices. The judges who enforce these decisions may be appointed or influenced by military generals, but the conscience of the people cannot be controlled. When those who defend human rights are silenced, when advocates of justice are imprisoned, we are forced to confront a stark and uncomfortable question: how can the poor and vulnerable ever hope to claim their just rights if those who stand for them are themselves oppressed?

The struggle they face is a reflection of the broader state of human rights, freedom of expression, and rule of law in Pakistan today. Journalists, political activists, and ordinary citizens face a chilling environment where the judiciary, media, and civil institutions are constrained by the will of a few. Yet in this landscape, the presence and actions of Iman and Hadi remind us that individual courage matters. They remind us that even one voice, when guided by righteousness, can resonate beyond the courtroom, beyond the cell, and beyond the boundaries imposed by the powerful.

If such injustices by the military continue, the time is not far when something serious could happen sooner or later. A red revolution may no longer be distant but dangerously close. God forbid, it will spare no one when the oppressed rise in large numbers, and both the oppressors, usurpers, hypocrites, and exploiters alike are engulfed in the consequences. The military generals and their allies, who have imposed Amendments 26 and 27 to serve their own vested interests, have long overstepped the limits of the Constitution. The Constitution of Pakistan, up to Amendment 25, clearly defines their domain, yet these notorious and cursed amendments have enabled them and other elites to exploit and oppress the common people. Their unlawful overreach must be exposed, resisted, and ended.

In conclusion, Barrister Iman Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha stand as a testament to what it means to be human in the highest sense: to act with integrity, to defend the helpless, and to challenge oppression without fear. They are the true pride of Pakistan and of humanity. Their courage allows us to see that even when the powerful seek to silence the brave, morality and conscience endure. And as long as they continue their work, we are reminded that the question of justice remains alive, and that the weak and oppressed may yet have hope.

When such voices of human rights are suppressed and sent to prison, it is not only their freedom that is at stake. It is the ability of every citizen, especially the poor and vulnerable, to raise their just voices and claim their rightful place in society. Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha exemplify the highest standards of courage, integrity, and selfless service. Their example is a call to all of us: to recognize, support, and amplify the voices of those who defend truth and justice when the world around them seems determined to turn away.