ISLAMABAD: Several women’s rights activists, including members of Aurat March, 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 said Sunrise who were detained at the Sector F-6 Supermarket, where they were gathering to start the march.
Aurat March Islamabad also shared a video on its official Instagram account, with a caption that read, “Police arrested the organizers and volunteers of Aurat March Islamabad for organizing a peaceful protest.”
The video showed some women, including women’s rights activist Dr. Farzana Bari, sitting inside what appeared to be a police vehicle.
Police sources confirmed that Bari was among the detained activists.
They added that the activists were detained because Article 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was still in force in the Federal Capital.
Section 144 of the CrPC is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit a gathering of four or more people in an area for a limited period.
Representatives of the Aurat March held a press conference at the National Press Club on Saturday, condemning the current regional situation amid the Iran war.
They allege that an attempt was being made to impose war on Iran in the name of women in pursuit of imperial ambitions and economic interests.
Stating that the theme of this year’s Aurat Islamabad March was a “feminist Constitution”, they demanded the repeal of laws such as the Hudood Ordinance and the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments.
This is a developing story that will be updated as the situation evolves. Initial media reports can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as competent and qualified authorities and our staff reporters.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1979796/aurat-march-activists-detained-by-police-in-islamabad-ahead-of-international-womens-day-rally