Islamabad police on Sunday arrested 11 women and three men for allegedly violating Section 144 during a rally organized under the banner of Aurat March, officials said.
According Express NewsThe arrests took place in sector F-6, where participants for the demonstration had gathered. The organizers 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 detained.
District administration officials stated that no No Objection Certificate (NOC) had been issued for the event and that Section 144, which restricts public gatherings, was in force in the city.
However, Aurat March organizers said they had submitted an application for an NOC to the deputy commissioner about a month earlier, but that the office had not formally rejected their application.
Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Qazi Ali Raza said key leaders of the Aurat March and several supporters were detained at the G-7 police station. He confirmed that the protesters were arrested for violating Article 144.
Raza added that the people 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’s reaction
In a post on X, Aurat March Islamabad condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of those detained. “Today, the organizers, volunteers and participants of Aurat March Islamabad gathered in front of F-6 Mr Books and were violently and brutally arrested before the protest, scheduled for 1 pm, began,” the statement said.
The organizers alleged that family members and sympathizers who later went to the police station to check on the detainees were also detained.
Today, the organizers, volunteers and participants of Aurat March Islamabad gathered in front of F-6 Mr Books and were violently and brutally arrested before the protest, scheduled for 1 pm, began. pic.twitter.com/a5iQOOjCR3
— Aurat March Islamabad (@Aurat_marchisb) March 8, 2026
According to the statement, the protest was intended to be a peaceful demonstration condemning the “US and Israeli attack on Iran” and highlighting violence against women, children and minority communities.
“It is ironic that on International Women’s Day, the Islamabad police have decided to silence women’s resistance,” the statement said. Organizers 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 ask for the release of their colleagues is deeply unjust and unacceptable. We demand the
— Aurat March Islamabad (@Aurat_marchisb) March 8, 2026
“The detention of those who even went to the police station to ask for the release of their comrades is deeply unjust and unacceptable,” the statement added, demanding the immediate release of all detained organizers and participants.
Organizers also urged participants to disperse and return to their homes to avoid further arrests, saying efforts were being made to secure the release of those detained and challenge the matter through legal means. “It is shameful that feminist organizers cannot even organize a peaceful demonstration on International Women’s Day,” the statement said.
