Aurat March activists detained by police in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Several women’s rights activists, including Aurat March members, were detained by police in Islamabad ahead of a rally they planned to hold on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday.

Police sources told Dawn that they were detained near Super Market in Sector F-6. They had planned to reach the National Press Club, but a huge contingent of police was already present there, which arrested the marchers and took them to Women Police Station.

Those detained include prominent activist Dr Farzana Bari, along with other Aurat March organisers and participants, police sources confirmed.

They added that the activists were picked up as Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) remained imposed in the federal capital.

Section 144 of the CrPC is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period.

Civil society activist Tariq Mehmood Ghouri  said that, as per the information gathered so far, more than 25 men and women were arrested.

He said that the wife of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Secretary General Haris Khaliq and some other women went to the Women Police Station to meet the arrested marchers, but they had also been detained.

“They have been told to sit in another lockup and are not being allowed to come outside,” Ghouri said.

Replying to a question, he said that the marchers had gathered near Super Market and had no intention to head towards D-Chowk. He also alleged that marchers were manhandled by police.

Aurat March Islamabad also shared a video on their official Instagram account, showing Bari and other women sitting inside what appeared to be a police vehicle.

According to police, the district administration had denied a no-objection certificate (NOC) to Aurat March, so the gathering was an “illegal activity”.

Police added that the Lal Masjid management had also vowed to stop the march, creating a risk of a possible clash, so it was more appropriate to arrest the activists to avoid a law and order situation.

‘Worrying sign for country’s democratic fabric’

Participants of the march condemned the arrests, stating that detaining women on International Women’s Day was highly regrettable. They demanded immediate action against those responsible for the police action.

In a statement, Aurat March Islamabad said: “We strongly condemn the arrests of Aurat March participants and organisers who were peacefully exercising their right to protest. Monitoring Desk