ISLAMABAD: Representatives of civil society organisations and journalists on Friday condemned the detention of renowned human rights activists Tahira Abdullah and Samina Omar by the Islamabad police.

In a swift and unexpected move, the police personnel detained the two activists from the gate of National Press Club where they were waiting to participate in a protest rally against the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The activists, known for their vocal stance on human rights issues, were taken into custody and forcibly driven to the women police station at G-7 Markaz, sparking an outcry from civil society members.

Many prominent right activists and journalists gathered outside the police station where they staged a protest and raised slogans against the police over this highhandedness.

The police later released both the activists after keeping them under detention for more than four hours and recording their statements.

The police claimed that they had detained the activists for violating Section 144 and participating in an unlawful gathering.

On the other hand, Tahira Abdullah told Dawn that the police took her and Samina Omar into custody when they were talking to the security guard at the main entrance of the press club and there was no protest demonstration underway at that time.

Moreover, she said, under Section 144 the gathering of five or more people was prohibited whereas no one was there with them when the police took the action.

Ms Abdullah claimed that the SHO had threatened them that they would be sent to Adiala Jail for 90 days under the MPO (Maintenance of Public Order). She said the SHO also wanted them to sign an undertaking that they would not take part in any such protest in future, but they refused to do so.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in a brief statement strongly condemned the detention of the two activists.

The HRCP said it was also concerned to learn that they were allegedly not given access to their legal counsel.

Similarly, PFUJ’s acting President Khalid Khokhar and Secretary General Arshad Ansari, in a joint statement, expressed outrage over the “blatant disregard for human rights and democratic values”.

The statement said, “Tahira Abdullah and Samina Omar were peacefully standing at the press club’s barricade, not even on the street, yet they were detained under the pretext of Section 144 violation. This is a clear attempt to suppress dissenting voices.”

The PFUJ called upon the authorities to respect and protect human rights.

The union also condemned the alleged denial of access to legal counsel, highlighting the “arbitrary nature of the detention”.

“The PFUJ stands in solidarity with Tahira Abdullah and Samina Omar and will continue to advocate for the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression”, they said.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2025