1 week ago
Concerns Mount Over Jailed Pakistani Lawyer’s Deteriorating Health
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir is a lawyer being held in a Pakistani prison.
Her family says she has become sick with a chest infection.
They say a blood test showed signs of infection.
They are worried because she has not received a chest X-ray.
The X-ray could help doctors understand what is wrong, including whether she has tuberculosis.
A rights group also says the prison does not have enough medical care for women.
It says sick prisoners should be separated safely from others.
The group is asking officials to give Imaan proper treatment and protect the health of all prisoners.
The Human Rights Council of Pakistan raised concern over lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir’s worsening health at Adiala Jail.
Her family said she has had a chest infection for a week and that a blood test showed a high white blood cell count.
The family said jail authorities had not conducted a needed chest X-ray to investigate the infection, including the possibility of tuberculosis.
Rights advocates also criticized women’s prison medical facilities and the lack of isolation for inmates with infectious diseases.
Imaan and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, are serving combined 17-year sentences; their suspension applications are due before the Islamabad High Court on September 8, 2026.
- Who
- Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, her family, and the Human Rights Council of Pakistan.
- What
- Rights advocates and Imaan’s family are demanding urgent medical care, including a chest X-ray and comprehensive assessment, for her deteriorating health in custody.
- Where
- Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Pakistan; the pending petitions will be heard by the Islamabad High Court.
- When
- Her health has reportedly worsened over the past three weeks, with a chest infection developing over the past week; related sentence-suspension petitions are scheduled for September 8, 2026.
- Why
- The family and rights group say Imaan may have an infection and that prison medical facilities, including care and isolation for women prisoners, are inadequate.
Key facts
- Prisoner
- Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir
- Reported illness
- Chest infection and elevated white blood cell count
- Requested test
- Immediate chest X-ray and comprehensive medical assessment
- Prison
- Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi
- Sentence
- Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha received combined prison sentences totaling 17 years and were each fined 36 million Pakistani rupees.
- Case link
- The convictions concern multiple charges linked to social media posts.
- Next hearing
- Applications seeking suspension of their sentences are scheduled before the Islamabad High Court on September 8, 2026.
Quotes
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir’s family
Family members of jailed lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir
“Our concern is compounded by the alarming fact that inmates in the women's section of Adiala jail who have been diagnosed with infectious diseases are not isolated and mix with other inmates as well as children. The women's medical facilities and availability of doctors leave a lot to be desired”
thehansindia.com
“The protection of the life, health, and dignity of every person in custody is the direct responsibility of the state and the jail administration. Regardless of the political, legal, or any other nature of cases, no prisoner can be deprived of essential medical facilities”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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