KARACHI: The organisers of Aurat March who were to hold a press conference at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Tuesday afternoon were prevented from doing so by police, who arrested activist and classical dancer Sheema Kermani and other organisers from right outside the KPC gate.

Besides Ms Kermani, Moneeza Ahmed, transgender Shahzadi and several volunteers and activists were also arrested.

Ms Kermani’s small car remained parked right in front of the press club gates as she was pulled out from it and taken away in a police mobile.

Some four organisers, who slipped inside the KPC without getting noticed by policewomen, then raced to the press conference hall to make a statement before the media and share with them their demands for 2026.

Senior classical dancer pulled out from her vehicle and bundled in police car

“This was just a peaceful press conference to share with you, the media, our plans for the Aurat March,” said Najma Maheshwari. “Section 144 does not apply to holding press conferences. We condemn the brutal way in which our friends have been arrested and prevented from holding only a press conference for which no NOC is required. We are appalled at the filthy language and abuses showered at our friends by police personnel,” she added.

“We have been waiting for the government to provide us with an NOC for holding the Aurat March at Seaview on May 10 this year, which coincides with Mother’s Day. In the past, the NOC has also come at the eleventh hour, one night before the Aurat March, so we are hopeful that it will come. But what has happened today makes us wonder about that. Mind you, holding press conferences is our right and holding protests, too, is our right,” said Fehmida Riaz, another volunteer.

“We only work for the uplift of human rights. We only highlight the truth. Is it wrong? Does it make us terrorists? The people arrested today from outside the press club are aged from 20 years to 75 years. The authorities who ordered this should be ashamed of themselves,” said a volunteer who had covered her face with a dupatta as she did not want to show her face on camera.

Later, it emerged that the arrested activists were released after being detained at the Aram Bagh police station for one hour.

They returned to the KPC chanting slogans about those who are afraid of women standing up for themselves having no conscience.

Aurat March spokesperson Moneeza Ahmad said that this is going to be their eighth Aurat March and she fails to understand why they were being stopped from holding their press conference by the Sindh government.

Ms Kermani said that the way she was prevented from holding a press conference at the KPC is most inappropriate, unjustified and insulting. She questioned the Sindh government for such an attitude.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026