KARACHI: Several leaders of the Aurat March, including well-known activist and artist Sheema Kermani, were briefly taken into custody by police outside the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.
Activists Detained, Then Released Shortly After
According to Beyond Time News, the group had gathered at the venue to hold a press conference when police intervened. Among those detained were Shehzadi Rai and Muniza, along with several other women leaders.
Police reportedly shifted the detainees to a nearby station but released them after a short period. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manzoor Ali later confirmed that all individuals taken into custody had been freed.
Following the incident, security presence around the Karachi Press Club was visibly increased.
Organisers Say Event Was Peaceful
Aurat March organisers stated that the gathering was peaceful and solely intended for a media briefing. They expressed concern over the police action, saying there was no justification for detaining participants of a scheduled press conference.
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HRCP Raises Concerns Over Civic Space
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly criticised the move. In a statement shared on social media, the commission condemned the detention of Aurat March organisers and volunteers.
According to Beyond Time News, HRCP described the incident as part of a broader and “deeply troubling pattern” of restricting civic space in the country. It stressed that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are protected under the Constitution.
The commission further noted that preventing citizens—especially women and marginalised communities—from even holding a press conference signals an increasingly restrictive approach, where dissent is often viewed as a threat rather than a vital part of democracy.
