Islamabad Police arrest 14 during Aurat March rally over Section 144 violation
SCREENGRAB
Islamabad police on Sunday arrested 11 women and three men for allegedly violating Section 144 during a rally organised under the banner of Aurat March, officials said.
According to Express News, the arrests took place in Sector F-6, where participants had gathered for the rally. The organisers had announced plans to march from F-6 to D-Chowk. Police temporarily blocked the road at the time of the arrests, which was reopened after the detainees were taken into custody.
District administration officials stated that no No Objection Certificate (NOC) had been issued for the event and that Section 144, restricting public gatherings, was in force in the city.
🚨🚨#BREAKING: In a deploring development, @ICT_Police crackdowns on peaceful @AuratMarch activists/organisers in #Islamabad and arrested many included @drfarzanabari and shifted them to G-7 women police station. pic.twitter.com/z9En5KGZTZ
However, Aurat March organisers said they had submitted an application for an NOC to the deputy commissioner about a month earlier, but the office had not formally rejected their request.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Qazi Ali Raza said key leaders of the Aurat March and several supporters were being held at the G-7 police station. He confirmed that the protesters were arrested for violating Section 144.
Raza added that individuals who later gathered at the police station to protest were also detained for allegedly interfering with official duties, and legal action would be taken against them under Section 188.
Aurat March reaction
In a post on X, the Aurat March Islamabad condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of those detained. “Today the organisers, volunteers, and participants of Aurat March Islamabad gathered outside F-6 Mr Books, and were violently and brutally arrested before the protest, scheduled at 1pm, even began,” the statement said.
The organisers alleged that family members and supporters who later went to the police station to check on those arrested were also taken into custody.
Today the organisers, volunteers, and patricipants of Aurat March Islamabad gathered outside F-6 Mr Books, and were violently and brutally arrested before the protest, scheduled at 1pm, even began. pic.twitter.com/a5iQOOjCR3
According to the statement, the protest was intended to be a peaceful demonstration condemning the “US-Israel attack on Iran” and highlighting violence against women, children and minority communities.
“It is ironic that on International Women’s Day, Islamabad Police has decided to silence the women’s resistance,” the statement said. The organisers condemned the arrests of participants and volunteers who they said were peacefully exercising their right to protest.
We strongly condemn the arrests of Aurat March participants and organizers who were peacefully exercising their right to protest. The detention of those who even went to the police station to seek the release of their comrades is deeply unjust and unacceptable. We demand the
“The detention of those who even went to the police station to seek the release of their comrades is deeply unjust and unacceptable,” the statement added, demanding the immediate release of all detained organisers and participants.
The organisers also urged participants to disperse and return home to avoid further arrests, saying efforts were under way to secure the release of those in custody and to challenge the matter through legal means. “It is shameful that feminist organisers cannot even organise a peaceful rally on International Women’s Day,” the statement said.