Police in Islamabad on Sunday arrested 11 women and three men for allegedly violating Section 144 during a demonstration organized under the banner of Aurat March, officials said.
According to Express newsthe arrests took place in Sector F-6, where the participants had gathered for the convention. The organizers had announced plans to march from F-6 to D-Chowk. Police temporarily blocked the road at the time of the arrests, which reopened after those arrested were taken into custody.
District administration officials stated that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) had not been issued for the event and Section 144, which restricts public gatherings, was in force in the city.
However, the organizers of the Aurat March 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 request.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Qazi Ali Raza said key leaders of the Aurat march and several supporters were detained at the G-7 police station. He confirmed that the protesters were arrested for violating Section 144.
Raza added that people who later gathered at the police station to protest were also detained for allegedly interfering with official duties and legal action would be taken against them under Section 188.
Aurat March reaction
In a post on X, Aurat March Islamabad condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of those detained. “Today the organizers, volunteers and participants of Aurat March Islamabad gathered outside F-6 Mr Books and were violently and brutally arrested before the protest scheduled for 1pm even started,” the statement said.
Organizers claimed that family members and supporters who later went to the police station to check on those arrested were also taken into custody.
Today, the organizers, volunteers and participants of Aurat March Islamabad gathered outside F-6 Mr Books and were violently and brutally arrested, before the protest scheduled at 13.00, even began. pic.twitter.com/a5iQOOjCR3
— Aurat March Islamabad (@Aurat_marchisb) March 8, 2026
According to the statement, the protest was intended as a peaceful demonstration condemning “US-Israel attacks on Iran” and highlighting violence against women, children and minority communities.
“It is ironic that on International Women’s Day Islamabad Police has decided to silence women’s resistance,” the statement said. Organizers condemned the arrests of participants and volunteers who they said were peacefully exercising their right to protest.
We strongly condemn the arrests of Aurat March participants and organizers who were peacefully exercising their right to protest. The detention of those who even went to the police station to seek the release of their comrades is deeply unjust and unacceptable. We demand
— Aurat March Islamabad (@Aurat_marchisb) March 8, 2026
“The detention of those who even went to the police station to seek the release of their comrades is deeply unjust and unacceptable,” added the statement, demanding the immediate release of all detained organizers and participants.
The organizers also urged the participants to disperse and return home to avoid further arrests, saying that efforts were underway to secure the release of those detained and to challenge the matter through legal means. “It is shameful that feminist organizers cannot even organize a peaceful demonstration on International Women’s Day,” the statement said.
