Pakistan’s Supreme Court Suspension Followed by Immediate Re‑Arrest, Scholars Say

According to court records, the Supreme Court suspended the 17‑year sentence on 17 September 2026, granting Mazari‑Hajir and Chattha bail. Within a few hours, police placed them in custody on a separate charge, effectively nullifying the court’s decision. The signatories warned that the misuse of criminal law to silence dissent threatens the independence of the judiciary and urged the federal government to respect constitutional guarantees and international obligations.