Authorities Crack Down on International Women’s Day 'Aurat March' in Pakistan

• Participants of the Aurat March and human rights activists in Islamabad were detained and subjected to police force on International Women’s Day.
• Authorities cited Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which bans public assemblies, to justify the arrests; organizers claim they received no prior notice.
• Over 60 individuals were taken into custody and reportedly forced to sign undertakings promising not to participate in future events as a condition for release.

Incident Details

• The crackdown occurred before the rally could begin as participants gathered to march toward the Islamabad Press Club.
• Detainees, including minors as young as 14, were held in cramped, unsanitary conditions at the G-7 Women’s Police Station.
• Police used batons to disperse crowds outside the station, and reporters, family members, and legal observers were manhandled or detained while attempting to verify the status of the participants.

Legal and Political Pushback

• Activists argued the arrests violated Article 16 (right to peaceful assembly) and Article 19 (freedom of expression) of the Pakistani Constitution.
• Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry defended the police actions as necessary for law and order, while members of the ruling coalition criticized the government's response in the National Assembly.
• Civil society groups and the Freedom Network condemned the incident as a violation of fundamental rights and an unprecedented attack on press freedom.

Future Implications

• The Lahore chapter of the Aurat March has canceled its event due to the holy month of Ramadan.
• Plans for marches in Karachi (May 10) and Multan remain pending as organizers monitor the regional security situation and political tensions.
• Upcoming events are expected to focus on solidarity with imprisoned human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chatta, both sentenced to 10 years for "cyber terrorism."