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 to Express Newsthe arrests took place in sector F-6, where participants had gathered for the rally. The organizers had announced their intention 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 taken into custody.
District administration officials said no no-objection certificate (NOC) was issued for the event and Section 144, restricting 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 the office had not formally rejected their application.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Qazi Ali Raza said the top leaders of the Aurat March and several supporters were detained at the G-7 police station. He confirmed that the protesters had been arrested for violating Article 144.
Raza added that the individuals who later gathered at the police station to protest were also arrested for allegedly interfering with their official duties, and legal action would be taken against them under Section 188.
Reaction from Aurat March
In an article on X, Aurat March Islamabad condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of those detained. “Today, organizers, volunteers and participants of the Aurat March Islamabad gathered in front of F-6 Mr Books and were violently and brutally arrested even before the start of the protest, scheduled for 1 p.m.,” the statement said.
Organizers said family members and supporters who later went to the police station to check on those arrested were also taken into custody.
Today, organizers, volunteers and participants of Aurat March Islamabad gathered in front of F-6 Mr Books and were violently and brutally arrested even before the start of the protest, scheduled for 1 p.m. 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-Israeli attack on Iran” and highlighting violence against women, children and minority communities.
“It is ironic that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Islamabad Police decided to silence women’s resistance,” the statement said. Organizers condemned the arrest of participants and volunteers who they said were peacefully exercising their right to protest.
We strongly condemn the arrests of participants and organizers of the Aurat march who were peacefully exercising their right to demonstrate. The detention of those who went to the police station to demand the release of their comrades 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 demand 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 home to avoid further arrests, saying efforts were underway to secure the release of those detained and to challenge the case through legal channels. “It is shameful that feminist organizers cannot even organize a peaceful rally on International Women’s Day,” the statement said.
