Article

International Women’s Day Overshadowed by Islamabad Police

This article examines the arrest and detention of women participating in the 2026 Aurat March in Islamabad, Pakistan, and analyses the events through the lens of international human rights law. It argues that the authorities’ use of preventive legal provisions to block peaceful demonstrations reflects a broader pattern of suppressing women-led activism, drawing parallels with previous crackdowns on protesters. The article highlights potential violations of the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and legal representation under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).