Police in Pakistan‘s capital Islamabad have suspended three officers who misbehaved with the women involved in the ‘Aurat March’ (Women’s March) on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Police has told that action will be taken against all the employees who misbehave with women.
Pakistan’s Home Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan had sought a report from the IG of Islamabad about the incident. In a statement, the Home Minister has also apologized to the women involved in the march.
Islamabad’s IG Dr. Akbar Nasir had asked the DIG to give an immediate report on the incident.
During the women’s march in Islamabad, the policemen also lathi-charged the women. In different cities of Pakistan, women’s march is taken out on the occasion of Women’s Day.
Pakistan’s Environment Minister Shari Rehman has also criticized the police action. Police lathi-charged during this march when a group of transgender people was performing.
Organizers say that due to the stampede, some people have also been hurt.
While posting one such video where a police officer was pushing a female participant back, Pakistan Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman wrote, “The Islamabad police had no business baton-charging a small peaceful procession.”
“It is the women holding laathis that need to be pushed back, not progressive women. Sad to see this happening. I will seek an inquiry,” she added.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also rebuked the alleged use of force by the Islamabad Police. “Women have as much right to peaceful assembly as any citizen. The police are supposed to provide security to the marchers, not to resort to violence against peaceful demonstrators,” the commission said.
