Uproar Over Justice Dogar’s Remarks Sparks Debate on Sexism

Lawyers, politicians, and citizens are rallying behind advocate Imaan Mazari-Hazir after controversial remarks from Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar. The incident has ignited a fierce debate on judicial sexism in Pakistan, drawing sharp criticism from the legal community, civil society, and political leaders.

Clash in the Courtroom

The confrontation began during a hearing on activist Mahrang Baloch’s plea to remove her name from the Exit Control List. Justice Dogar took issue with Mazari allegedly calling him a “dictator” and warned he might initiate contempt of court proceedings. The judge did not specify which instance of the alleged remark he referred to.

Mazari stood her ground. She declared that she had spoken within the boundaries of law and the Constitution. “If you want to initiate contempt proceedings, then please do so,” she told the judge, insisting that the Constitution guarantees her right to free expression.

A Controversial Exchange

During the hearing, Justice Dogar turned to Mazari’s husband, Hadi Ali Chatha, and remarked: “Hadi sahib, make her understand; if I get hold of her someday…” The statement immediately drew backlash for its threatening and personal tone.

The next day, Justice Dogar attempted to clarify. He claimed his words were taken out of context and that he regarded Mazari “just like a daughter.” He said he had been “explaining things” to her in the spirit of guidance. “Being the chief justice and an elder, I was trying to make her understand,” he said, adding that critics had exaggerated his remarks.

He argued that while Mazari could disagree with his decisions, she should not have made her criticism personal. “I was explaining to her just as to a child, but she was not understanding. She was repeatedly mentioning fundamental rights. Does this court not have any fundamental rights?” he asked.

Mazari Pushes Back

Mazari rejected the judge’s justification, calling his behavior sexist and harassing. She posted on X that the chief justice had misbehaved, threatened her, and then attempted to downplay it with patronizing remarks. “I am neither his daughter nor a child. I am a professional lawyer,” she wrote.

Her refusal to accept the judge’s paternalistic framing turned the incident into a broader conversation about sexism in Pakistan’s judiciary.

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Strong Online Reaction

The judge’s comments triggered a storm online. Many users condemned his remarks as discriminatory, harassing, and reflective of deep-seated patriarchal attitudes. Critics said such behavior reinforced the already male-dominated culture of the courts.

Advocate Khadija Siddiqi called the remarks “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable,” describing them as a clear display of sexism and patriarchy. She noted that contempt threats against Mazari highlighted the imbalance of power between judges and lawyers.

Others echoed these concerns. Journalist Mariana Babar suggested imposing a fine on the judge, while senior lawyer Rabbiya Bajwa labeled his conduct “unbecoming of a judge.”

Voices of Support for Mazari

Political figures also weighed in. BNP chief Akhtar Mengal praised Mazari as “a daughter of the soil” who defied norms and challenged the system. He compared her courage to the late Asma Jahangir, saying Jahangir would have been proud of Mazari’s stand.

Former Sindh MPA Dewan Sachal also condemned the remarks, stressing that no one should speak in such a way to a woman in her workplace.

Women Lawyers Take a Stand

The backlash extended into the legal fraternity. A group of 41 women lawyers, including Supreme Court and high court advocates, issued a joint statement condemning Justice Dogar’s remarks as “sexist, threatening, and unbecoming of a judge.”

They stressed that courtrooms are not venues for judges to settle personal grievances. “Judges must act independently and impartially,” the statement read. It warned that contempt laws should uphold justice, not be used as tools of intimidation.

Bar Associations Condemn Conduct

Both the Karachi Bar Association and the Lahore High Court Bar Association issued strong statements in Mazari’s defense. The Karachi Bar described the conduct as “highly inappropriate” and said it undermined the sanctity of judicial forums. It argued that such actions intimidate lawyers and weaken public trust in justice.

The Lahore Bar went further, calling for the Supreme Judicial Council to take notice of Justice Dogar’s actions and consider his removal from office.

Women’s Action Forum Joins In

The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) also released a statement condemning the incident. The group expressed outrage at what it described as misogynist language and mindset from the judge. WAF highlighted the patronizing way Justice Dogar had addressed Mazari’s husband, calling it insulting and demeaning.

The forum demanded an unconditional apology to Mazari and urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Supreme Judicial Council to act. It insisted that effective steps were needed against behavior “wholly unbecoming of the senior judiciary.”

A Larger Debate

The controversy has opened a wider debate about the culture of judicial sexism and harassment in Pakistan’s courts. Many believe the incident underscores how systemic barriers and patriarchal attitudes continue to affect women in the legal profession.

For Mazari, the confrontation has become more than a personal dispute. It has evolved into a moment of reckoning for the judiciary, challenging whether those in power will address sexism within their own ranks or dismiss it as a matter of “context.