Aurat March participants batton-charged in capital

Capital police on Wednesday baton-charged participants of the Aurat March — a public demonstration held annually in various cities to mark International Women’s Day — attracting condemnation and swift action from Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.

According to sources, the otherwise peaceful demonstration turned violent as protesters and law enforcers came face to face after the activists tried to enter what the police called ‘restricted area’.

Clips of the violent incident surfaced on social media as cops tried to prevent the activists, mostly women, from marching toward their destination, which prompted a heated debate. An officer of the capital police could be seen going berserk and pushing a female activist after she touched him.

Meanwhile, Federal Minster for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman also participated in the demonstration, however, the protesters stopped the media persons from recording her interview.

Following a heated argument between reporters and the participants, the media persons decided to boycott the event. Upon this, the Aurat March participants chanted slogans against the reporters.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2023.