Women Human Rights Defenders Detained in Pakistan 2026

Finn Rights International Human Rights Monitoring & Advocacy Helsinki, Finland Date: 15 August 2026

Statement / Report: Prolonged Detention of Women Human Rights Defenders and Political Activists in Pakistan

Finn Rights International is deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of several women political activists, human rights defenders, and opposition figures in Pakistan. Reports show that many of these women have been held in jail for a long time under charges that their families, supporters, and some international observers call politically motivated.

Finn Rights International calls on the Government of Pakistan to fully respect due process, fair trial standards, and international human rights rules. The organization also asks Pakistan to review the cases of people who are in jail mainly, or only, because they took part in peaceful political or human rights work.

Women Human Rights Defenders Whose Cases Are of Particular Concern

Media reports, party statements, and human rights groups have repeatedly named the following women in connection with long detention, convictions under anti-terrorism or cybercrime laws, or repeated legal cases:

• Bushra Bibi wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, held in Adiala Jail.
• Dr. Yasmin Rashid senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Punjab health minister, held in Kot Lakhpat Jail after several convictions linked to the events of 9 May 2023.
• Imaan Mazari (Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir) human rights lawyer and activist, sentenced in early 2026 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) over social media posts. She is currently in jail, reportedly in Adiala Jail. The Islamabad Bar Association has raised concerns about her health.
• Mahrang Baloch Baloch human rights activist and leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). She was sentenced in June 2026 to life in prison by an anti-terrorism court over charges linked to a 2024 protest. She has been held since March 2025.
• Beebow Baloch and Gulzadi Baloch activists connected to the BYC, reported to still be in detention after being arrested in 2025.
• Alia (Aaliya) Hamza PTI Punjab organizer, held in Kot Lakhpat Jail.
• Sanam Javed and Falak Javed PTI social media activists, held in Kot Lakhpat Jail and named in several cases, including ones related to 9 May and cybercrime.

Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Noreen Khan, have also faced several criminal cases and may face further legal action linked to protests and political activity. Finn Rights notes that many more women connected to opposition politics or human rights work are currently out on bail while waiting for trial.

Patterns of Concern

Based on available reports, women involved in political opposition or human rights work in Pakistan often face:

• Several overlapping cases filed under anti-terrorism laws, the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, or cybercrime laws (PECA).
• Repeated cycles of arrest, release on bail, and re-arrest on new charges.
• Detention in jails such as Kot Lakhpat Jail (Lahore) and Adiala Jail (Rawalpindi).
• Claims of poor medical care, and in some cases, isolation or harsh detention conditions.
• Terrorism-related charges applied to protests that organizers say were peaceful.

Finn Rights International recognizes that the Government of Pakistan says these prosecutions are based on evidence of unlawful acts, including violence or incitement connected to the events of May 2023 and later protests. At the same time, Finn Rights shares the concern raised by various human rights groups that counter-terrorism and cybercrime laws have, in some cases, been used in ways that risk limiting legitimate political expression and peaceful assembly.

Recommendations

Finn Rights International respectfully asks the Government of Pakistan to:

1. Immediately review the cases of the women named above, and other detainees in similar situations, to check whether their continued imprisonment follows Pakistan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other relevant standards.
2. Make sure that anyone detained only for peacefully exercising their rights to free expression, association, or assembly is released without delay.
3. Guarantee quick and adequate medical care for all detainees, including those with existing health conditions.
4. Ensure trials meet international fair-trial standards, including access to legal counsel, public hearings where appropriate, and the right to challenge evidence.
5. Stop filing repeated or overlapping cases that keep extending detention after bail has already been granted in earlier cases.
6. Allow independent monitoring of detention conditions for women political prisoners and human rights defenders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening in Pakistan with women?

Pakistan faces a deepening women’s rights crisis, with rising gender-based violence and several women political activists and human rights defenders held in prolonged detention.

What NGO is working for women’s rights in Islamabad?

The National Commission for Human Rights and groups like the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) work on women’s rights issues connected to Islamabad-based advocacy.

Why is there a protest going on in Pakistan?

Protests in Pakistan are largely linked to political opposition activity, detentions of activists, and public anger over human rights and gender-based violence cases.

What are the women’s rights in Pakistan?

Pakistan has ratified major international human rights conventions and passed pro-women laws, but enforcement remains weak, leaving women with limited practical protection.

Where does Pakistan rank in women’s rights?

Pakistan ranked 148th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Gender Gap Index, placing it last globally.

Which country is No. 1 in women’s safety?

Iceland is consistently ranked the world’s most gender-equal country in the WEF Global Gender Gap Index, though “safety” rankings specifically vary by source.

Final Thoughts

Finn Rights International is ready to work constructively with Pakistani authorities, the National Commission for Human Rights, and relevant international bodies. The organization urges all sides to prioritize the rule of law, protect women human rights defenders, and resolve these cases through transparent judicial processes rather than prolonged imprisonment.

Finn Rights International Helsinki, Finland