ISLAMABAD — On Monday, Pakistani authorities apprehended a lawyer and her spouse, both recognized for their commitment to human rights advocacy, which has raised concerns among various rights organizations.

The Islamabad police shared via a post on X that Amaan Mazari and Abdul Hadi were detained under allegations of interfering in governmental operations, which was purportedly a risk to security. This incident occurred shortly after the couple attempted to dismantle a roadblock established by law enforcement to protect the England cricket team while en route to a court appearance.

Prior to the arrest, Mazari had expressed that their delayed court appointment prompted their efforts to remove the road obstruction.

The independent human rights commission of Pakistan condemned this action via an X post, stating their disapproval of the couple’s arrest on ambiguous charges of “creating a security risk.” They highlighted the pair’s dedication as respected human rights defenders and described their arbitrary detention as indicative of the diminishing environment for activists within the nation. The commission urged authorities to release them immediately and called for the charges to be dismissed.

In recent times, defenders of human rights within Pakistan have increasingly faced repercussions from the government, leading to heightened limitations on freedom of expression and dissent. Mazari and Hadi frequently advocate for journalists, as well as political and human rights activists, who have been taken into custody by security forces without proper procedures, including notifying family members or presenting them in judicial settings.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between activists and governmental authorities, raising alarms about the threats to civil liberties and the freedoms of those who dare to speak out against injustice in Pakistan.