Three Journalists Detained During Aurat March in Islamabad

Pakistani police briefly detained three journalists while covering the annual Aurat March in Islamabad, an event marking International Women’s Day, drawing criticism from press freedom and human rights groups who said the action undermined the right to report on public demonstrations.

The detentions occurred on 8 March 2026, when police arrested dozens of participants and activists gathered for the women’s rights march in the capital. Authorities said the action was taken because Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code had been imposed in the city, prohibiting public gatherings without prior authorization.

Among those briefly detained were journalists Sehrish Qureshi, Farhat Fatima, and Ismat Jabeen, who were covering the march. According to reports, they were taken into custody along with activists and other participants but were later released.

The arrests took place near the Super Market area in Sector F-6, where march participants had gathered before attempting to proceed toward the National Press Club. A large police presence in the area stopped the procession and transported detainees to the Women Police Station in Islamabad.

Police sources said the district administration had denied organizers a no-objection certificate (NoC) for the march and had already imposed Section 144 in the federal capital. Under the law, authorities can restrict assemblies if they believe gatherings may disrupt public order or pose security concerns.

In total, dozens of participants were detained, including prominent women’s rights activists such as Dr. Farzana Bari and human rights defender Tahira Abdullah, along with students and other organizers. Reports indicated that at least 44 people were taken into custody, including both men and women participating in the demonstration.

Press freedom groups condemned the detention of journalists covering the event. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) criticized what it described as heavy-handed police actions against both activists and reporters documenting the protest.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also called for the immediate release of those detained and emphasized that marking International Women’s Day and participating in peaceful assemblies are fundamental democratic rights.

The Aurat March, held annually across several Pakistani cities, advocates for gender equality and raises awareness about women’s rights issues, including protection from violence, economic participation, and social justice. The detentions this year have renewed debate over the use of public-order laws to restrict demonstrations and the challenges journalists face while covering such events.

Reference –

https://www.dawn.com/news/1979987

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2596690/hrcp-slams-aurat-march-arrests

https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/press-releases/article/pakistan-three-journalists-detained-ahead-of-international-womens-day-march

https://www.journalismpakistan.com/three-journalists-detained-during-aurat-march-in-islamabad