Sedition charges filed against Shireen Mazari’s daughter Imaan

A first information report (FIR ) has been registered against Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, daughter of Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari. Imaan, who is a lawyer and a human rights activist, participated in Baloch students’ protest in Islamabad. In addition, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Mohsin Dawar and Baloch students have also been booked for “rebellion, rioting, and raising of anti-state slogans”, sources revealed to Geo News.

A case has been registered at Kohsar police station.

Imaan Hazir-Mazari tweeted: “In response to the FIR that has been registered against me: #ReleaseHafeezBaloch #EndEnforcedDisappearancesNOW #StopHarassingBalochStudents“

Mohsin Dawar, while reacting to the FIR against him, said: “Instead of filing cases against the rouge elements involved in enforced disappearances, the state chooses to file fake cases against those who protest against enforced disappearances. Such as is the way of the martial law regime in Pakistan. We stand with the Baloch students.”

Instead of filing cases against the rouge elements involved in enforced disappearances, the state chooses to file fake cases against those who protest against enforced disappearances. Such as is the way of the martial law regime in Pakistan. We stand with the Baloch students. https://t.co/mVYKL4lxIj

— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) March 3, 2022

Why are Baloch students protesting?

The students are protesting over the mysterious disappearance of one of their colleagues, Hafeez Baloch, three weeks ago from Khuzdar.

Senator Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has also extended her support for protesting students. “Our young people need political solutions to their problems, not repression,” Rehman wrote in a tweet,.

Solidarity with Baloch students camping outside National Press Club in the freezing cold demanding the release of disappeared student, Hafeez Baloch, and an end intimidation of Baloch students on campuses.Our young people need political solutions to their problems,not repression pic.twitter.com/wbVxD0Msmo

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 3, 2022

People on social media are condemning the police action against Imaan Mazari-Hazir and other protesters:

‘Baaghi Rooh ko kaisay tum sambhalo ge?
Kis kis saanchay mein humain tum dhaalo ge?

Kya buzdil reh ke apna aap nibhaa lo ge?
Jhukk jhukk ke phir kaisay sar uttha lo ge?’

For @ImaanZHazir only 🧿

— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) March 4, 2022

Aurat March Islamabad condemns the state's brutality against peaceful Baloch students and the FIR registered against human rights activist Imaan Mazari-Hazir and fellow protestors on false sedition charges.

— Aurat March Islamabad (@Aurat_marchisb) March 3, 2022

I disagree with Imaan Mazari more than I agree with her on many things — but I admire her singular stand for what she believes in to the point of what may appear madness but is an innate sense of what is just, not what is right. #IStandWithImaanMazari

— Kala Kawa (@kaalakawaa) March 4, 2022

Shame on @ICT_Police for registering a treason case against lawyer @ImaanZHazir for supporting #BalochStudents protest in Islamabad. Are we a banana republic?#IStandWithImaanMazari

— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) March 3, 2022