Aurat March activists released after brief police detention in Karachi

Police on Tuesday released seven Aurat March activists after briefly detaining them near Karachi Press Club (KPC), following orders from Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar.

The activists were detained after they gathered at Karachi Press Club (KPC) for a press conference scheduled for 4pm to demand a no-objection certificate (NOC) for their upcoming annual march in Karachi.

An Aurat March organiser confirmed to Dawn that seven people, including Sheema Kirmani and Shahzadi Rai, had been released. This came shortly after Lanjar ordered the metropolis’ south zone police to release the detained activists.

Shortly before 4pm, the rights group said three of its organisers were “picked up” from KPC before they could even begin the press conference. In another post, it claimed that access to the press club had been blocked.

In a later post, Aurat March Karachi said “seven organisers and volunteers have been arrested to stop them from reaching KPC!”

“The state is using all its tools to suppress a women’s movement that works on cross-class issues of gender, violence and labour rights!” it added.

“Booking a room and having a press conference within the walled confines of the press club is allowed even during Section 144!” Aurat March Karachi pointed out.

It sought to know what law the “peaceful activists” were held under, as they were not protesting.

More to follow