The Sindh government on Wednesday suspended three police officers over the alleged mistreatment and detention of veteran activist Sheema Kermani along with other women’s rights activists outside the Karachi Press Club a day earlier.
The activists were briefly taken into custody on Tuesday after they gathered at the KPC for a press conference to demand a no-objection certificate (NOC) for their upcoming annual march in Karachi.
The suspended officials include DSP Saddar Nasir Afridi, SHO Hina Mughal, and Artillery Maidan SHO Nadeem Haider.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said in a statement that an inquiry has been launched into the matter.
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“There is a zero-tolerance policy against abuse of powers,” the home minister said, adding that the dignity and rights of women will be safeguarded at all costs.
It is worth noting that the Aurat March activists were released after a brief detention on Tuesday following instructions from the Sindh home minister.
In a post on X after their release, Aurat March Karachi said: “We will not back down from our politics, and we will continue to demand an NOC!”
“Scare tactics to suppress dissent are shameful!” it added, calling on the provincial government to issue a clarification regarding the detentions and the delay in granting the NOC.