Islamabad witnessed a tense prelude to International Women’s Day on Sunday as police detained multiple women’s rights activists, including prominent members of the Aurat March movement. The arrests took place in the Super Market area of Sector F-6, where participants had begun assembling in preparation for the annual march advocating gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The detained activists were reportedly organizing a peaceful demonstration to coincide with International Women’s Day, a global event that highlights women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements while calling attention to ongoing struggles. Aurat March Islamabad shared a video on their official Instagram account showing several women, among them the well-known rights advocate Dr. Farzana Bari, seated inside what appeared to be a police vehicle. This footage underscored the authorities’ swift action in curbing the gathering before it could officially commence.
Law enforcement officials confirmed Dr. Bari’s detention, explaining that the arrests were made under the enforcement of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits public assemblies of four or more people in designated areas to maintain public order. The federal capital was under this restriction at the time, and police emphasized that no formal permission or No Objection Certificate (NOC) had been granted for the march. However, organizers indicated that despite the lack of official approval, there had been an informal understanding that the event would proceed peacefully.
As the situation unfolded, videos circulated online showing that family members and legal representatives of the detained activists were initially barred from meeting them. Aurat March Islamabad later reported that police had also taken into custody some relatives and supporters who had gathered outside the police station, further escalating tensions and raising concerns about the treatment of peaceful protesters and their associates.
Independent Urdu journalist Ramna Saeed, reporting live from the scene on March 8, 2026, described a charged atmosphere at the police station. She noted a heavy police presence, including multiple prisoner vans, and recounted witnessing law enforcement officers using physical force against those gathered in the station’s courtyard. Saeed observed a man being struck with a baton and a woman forcibly dragged away despite the presence of female officers, highlighting the aggressive measures employed to disperse and detain individuals.
When Saeed’s team attempted to document the unfolding events from a distance of 30 to 40 feet, police intervened, ordering them to cease filming. The authorities questioned the necessity of media coverage and did not provide a clear legal justification for halting the recording, raising issues about press freedom and transparency during such incidents. To avoid arrest, many individuals began distancing themselves, standing alone or apart, as police actively detained anyone perceived to be part of a group.
Adding to the complexity, journalist Azaz Syed shared information indicating that the march was prevented partly due to agreements reached with participants of the Haya March and representatives from Jamia Hafsa, groups that have previously posed challenges for Aurat March organizers. This suggests a broader context of negotiations and tensions surrounding public demonstrations on sensitive social issues in Islamabad.
Just a day before the planned march, Aurat March representatives held a press conference at the National Press Club to announce this year’s theme, “Feminist Constitution.” During the event, they criticized the regional geopolitical climate, particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran, arguing that women’s rights narratives were being manipulated within these broader tensions. The group reiterated their demands for significant legal reforms, including the repeal of the Hudood Ordinance and recent constitutional amendments they believe undermine democratic principles and gender rights protections.
The detentions and the prevention of the march have sparked widespread debate about the state of civil liberties, the right to peaceful assembly, and the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Pakistan. As International Women’s Day passed under such circumstances, activists and supporters continue to call for greater respect for fundamental freedoms and meaningful progress toward gender equality.
