![Police obstruct Aurat March activists in Karachi, raising HRCP concerns over civic space rights. [Courtesy: Dawn News]](https://htnworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/051346000a0d4bd.webp)
Islamabad_ The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday condemned police action against Aurat March activists in Karachi, calling on authorities to ensure people’s unhindered access to civic spaces.
On Thursday, a rights activist was reportedly “briefly detained” outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC), ahead of a press conference by Aurat March addressing the alleged abduction of two Baloch girls.
Organizers said classical dancer and human rights activist Sheema Kermani was manhandled by police, while other female participants were also “mistreated” by female officers en route to the press club. Journalist Zofeen Ebrahim was barred from attending the press conference, which was later held at KPC.
In a statement on the social media platform X, HRCP strongly condemned the police obstruction, brief detention, and manhandling of activists and journalists, including Kermani.
“We are alarmed that journalist Zofeen Ebrahim was barred from entering the press club. The HRCP urges authorities to respect access to civic spaces and investigate the alleged police misconduct.”
The commission said.
Authorities did not issue an official account. A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “extreme vigilance and heightened security measures” were implemented in the Red Zone due to security concerns. The officer denied that any woman activist was arrested.
