The Sindh police on Wednesday suspended three police officials for alleged mistreatment of Aurat March activists, including Sheema Kermani.

On Tuesday, the activists were detained after they gathered at Karachi Press Club (KPC) for a press conference to demand a no-objection certificate (NOC) for their upcoming annual march in Karachi.

However, the police released all activists after briefly detaining them on the orders of Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar.

“In connection with the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Sheema Kermani and women human rights activists, Karachi Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan has issued orders to suspend Saddar Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nasir Afridi, Women Station House Officer (SHO) Hina Mughal, and Artillery Maidan Police Station SHO Nadeem,” according to an official press release by Karachi Police spokesperson.

“On the orders of the police chief, a transparent inquiry will be conducted and action will be taken against those responsible in accordance with the law,” the release added.

The police chief also directed that such incidents must be avoided by ensuring professional conduct and full respect for the constitutional rights of citizens.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the spokesperson for Sindh home minister said, “On the instructions of the home minister, action has been taken in connection with the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Sheema Kermani and women human rights activists”.

“The Sindh home minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident,” the spokesperson said.

“Lanjar said there is a zero-tolerance policy against misuse of authority,” the spokesperson stated, adding that respect for women and protection of their rights would be ensured at all costs.

Home minister phones Sheema Kirmani, expresses regrets

The home minister also spoke personally with Kirmani and expressed his regrets. He assured Kirmani that the requirements of justice would be fulfilled.

He observed that he was personally saddened over such a regrettable incident.

Lanjar said that the PPP had always been a torchbearer of respect and equal rights to women and the transgender community.

He said that human dignity, equality and justice were the vision of the former premier and party chairwoman Benazir Bhutto and the current chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, adding that the PPP government would ensure the implementation of these principles.