Karachi Women’s March proceeds with curbs on attire, slogans, and LGBTQ themes

Police clash draws backlash over alleged misconduct and activist detentions.

People carry placards during a rally organised by women's rights group Aurat March on the occasion of Mother's Day in Karachi on May 10, 2026.

(photo credit: Asif HASSAN / AFP via Getty Images)

ByARSHAD MEHMOOD/THE MEDIA LINE

MAY 11, 2026 14:09

Pakistan's Sindh authorities on Saturday granted a conditional no-objection certificate for Aurat March Karachi, permitting the yearly women's rights demonstration from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at Beach View Park in Clifton, subject to 28 specific restrictions.

Among the stipulations were prohibitions on LGBTQ-promoting materials, "objectionable clothing," and any anti-state or anti-religious slogans, banners, speeches, or related content.

By 4 p.m. Karachi time, the event was in progress, though detailed reports on attendance, addresses, police behavior, or adherence to the permit rules remained unavailable at that point.

Aurat March has organized events annually since 2018 across key Pakistani cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad to observe International Women’s Day. This year, the Karachi gathering skipped its traditional March 8 slot due to Ramadan and rescheduled for May 10, aligning with Mother's Day in the country.

The approval followed a tense standoff on Tuesday evening near the Karachi Press Club, where authorities blocked Aurat March leaders from conducting a press briefing on the upcoming event, leading to the arrest of multiple activists.

Those held included Aurat March organizer Sheema Kermani, Muneeza Ahmed, Safina Javed, transgender advocate Shahzadi Rai, and other female activists and supporters. They sought to address reporters but were denied access to the venue.

Kermani, protesting the intervention, was allegedly pulled from her car by female officers and transported away in a police van. According to Voicepk, five women and two transgender individuals were held for hours before release.

The episode provoked widespread condemnation, with claims of police overreach and illegal detentions.

In response, the Sindh government suspended several officials linked to the incident, including a high-ranking police figure.

Aurat March Karachi receives NOC but denies signing it

Kermani told reporters that the organizers had obtained the no-objection certificate, yet no paperwork bore the group's signature. She voiced astonishment at the dress code clause, noting it was absent from prior discussions. Organizers were deliberating their next steps.

Aurat March Karachi dismissed reports of endorsing the NOC terms. "This is inaccurate. The government issued the NOC to us overnight as mandates for the public gathering," the group stated. It vowed to rally against marital rape, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, defamation statutes, patriarchal abuse, and curbs on protest rights.

The activists rebuffed the bans on LGBTQ elements and attire limits. "Mera Jism, Meri Marzi [my body my choice] remains our central call. Dress as you wish and feel at ease. We persist in demanding full bodily autonomy," they affirmed.

This edition's focus highlights intergenerational trauma and "Good Daughters," scrutinizing societal demands on women to fit perfect roles and maternal struggles.

Aurat March continues to stir debate in Pakistan, bridging clashing social, religious, and political views. Advocates see it as vital for spotlighting gender violence, job bias, legal safeguards, bodily rights, unpaid work, and speech freedoms. Detractors contend certain slogans, motifs, and displays undermine cultural and faith-based standards.

Placards, orations, and creative displays at the marches consistently fuel discussions on public decency and protest boundaries.