Pakistan arrests 25 Aurat March activists for pre-rally Section 144
Police have taken into custody at least twenty-five women's rights organizers and participants, including prominent figures from the Aurat Movement, in Islamabad as they assembled to mark International Women's Day. The detentions occurred near a supermarket in Sector F-6 on Sunday following allegations of violating Section 144 by gathering for an unauthorized rally ahead of their planned event.
Key Points
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1Police have arrested and detained at least twenty-five women's rights activists associated with the Aurat March ahead of an International Women's Day rally.
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2The arrests occurred in Islamabad near Sector F-6, specifically around a Super Market location where participants had gathered for their planned Sunday event.
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3Activists were charged or cited under Section 144 violations regarding unauthorized assembly during this gathering.
Developments
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has demanded the immediate release of 19 detained activists and participants from Islamabad who were arrested by police for organizing a march to mark International Women's Day. Police sources confirmed that women rights groups, including prominent figures like Farzana Bari Tahira Abdullah Zoya Rehman had been taken into custody near Sector F-6 before being transported to the local station where they remain without release dates announced yet
Police arrested at least 25 Aurat March organizers in Islamabad on Sunday, citing a violation of Section 144 for assembling without authorization to observe International Women's Day. Activists and human rights groups allege they are being held unlawfully while denied access from family members or lawyers as authorities have not yet registered an FIR against them.