Islamabad, September 15, 2025: Rights activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir on Monday filed complaints with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) workplace harassment committee and the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, following last week’s heated exchange in court.
On September 11, Justice Dogar reportedly threatened Mazari with contempt proceedings and made remarks described by lawyers’ bodies as “sexist, hostile, and intimidating.” Several bar associations have since demanded his removal.
In a post on X, Mazari confirmed that she had lodged a complaint under Section 4 of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 and a misconduct reference before the SJC.
A circular issued by the IHC later in the day said Justices Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Saman Rafat Imtiaz would serve on the inquiry committee tasked with investigating the allegations.
Mazari’s complaint accuses Justice Dogar of subjecting her to “sexist, discriminatory, hostile, threatening, intimidating and unreasonable behaviour,” citing what she described as an “unprovoked tirade” during last week’s proceedings. She alleged the incident left her “insulted, humiliated and degraded” in full public view, and formed part of a “pattern of intimidation and degrading treatment” by the chief justice.
The complaint further recalled an earlier episode on August 12, when the judge allegedly made personal remarks during a hearing involving journalist Asad Ali Toor. It argues that Dogar’s repeated conduct not only amounts to judicial misconduct but also falls within the definition of workplace harassment under the 2010 law.
Mazari requested the committee to declare Justice Dogar guilty of harassment, recommend action to the competent authority, and provide any other relief deemed appropriate.
Separately, a district and sessions court summoned Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, on Wednesday in connection with a case accusing them of alleged anti-state activity on social media. The challan was submitted before Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah today.
