ISLAMABAD: On Monday, women’s rights advocates alongside representatives from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) held a press conference at the National Press Club to voice their strong condemnation of what they described as excessive state violence against participants of the Aurat March. The march, held annually on International Women’s Day, witnessed a harsh police crackdown in the capital that has sparked widespread outrage among civil society groups and human rights defenders.
Khushhal Khan, a spokesperson for HRCP, categorically denounced the police’s aggressive actions against the women protesters, labeling the conduct as deeply unacceptable and calling for those responsible to be held accountable. He emphasized that such treatment of peaceful demonstrators undermines the democratic right to protest and violates fundamental human rights guaranteed under the constitution.
Dr. Farzana Bari, a prominent organiser of the Aurat March, explained that the women had assembled on March 8 as part of their yearly tradition to raise awareness about gender equality and women’s rights. She pointed out that the organisers had submitted an application for a no-objection certificate (NOC) almost six weeks prior to the event, but the authorities denied permission without providing a clear explanation. Despite these restrictions, the activists proceeded with the march, underscoring that their movement is part of a global struggle observed internationally on this day.
Adding further perspective, HRCP Secretary General Haris Khalique described the Aurat March not merely as an isolated annual demonstration but as an ongoing social movement advocating for women’s empowerment and justice. While he stressed that HRCP does not endorse unlawful activities, Khalique argued that oppressive and unjust laws must be challenged through peaceful resistance. He expressed grave concern over reports of police brutality, including allegations that young women were physically manhandled and that some detainees were coerced into signing affidavits under duress, which activists have labeled as fabricated.
Several organisers shared harrowing accounts of their experiences during the arrests. Zainab Jalil, another key figure in the Aurat March, revealed that many activists were detained despite maintaining peaceful conduct throughout the event. She described a troubling tactic where some participants were lured into police stations under the guise of dialogue, only to be taken into custody unexpectedly. Reports also emerged of overcrowded holding cells where detainees, including pregnant women, faced harsh and inhumane conditions.
Tahira Abdullah, a veteran activist aged 73, recounted her own detention after visiting a police station to show solidarity with the arrested women. She highlighted the extreme violence faced by lawyer Kashmala during the crackdown and noted that approximately 35 women and 35 men were taken into custody in total. Abdullah’s testimony underscored the indiscriminate nature of the arrests and the authorities’ heavy-handed approach toward peaceful protesters.
In response to the incident, HRCP representatives demanded a thorough and independent inquiry to investigate the police’s conduct and to ensure that those responsible for the alleged abuses are brought to justice. The activists firmly stated that despite the crackdown, their resolve remains unshaken. They vowed to continue their struggle for women’s rights and equality, pointing out that similar challenges are faced by women’s movements worldwide but that these movements persist undeterred in the face of repression.
The press conference concluded with a unified message of resilience and determination from the Aurat March organisers and HRCP, reaffirming their commitment to advancing gender justice in Pakistan. The recent events in Islamabad have once again highlighted the ongoing tensions between state authorities and civil society groups advocating for fundamental rights, raising critical questions about the space for dissent and democratic freedoms in the country.
