The Sindh government has suspended three police officers for allegedly subjecting women and transgender individuals from the Aurat March to violence and arrest.
On Tuesday, the South Police allegedly used violence and arrested Aurat March leader Sheema Kermani and her companions when they arrived at the Karachi Press Club to hold a press conference regarding the Aurat March scheduled for May 10. After their arrest, the women and transgender individuals were taken to Artillery Maidan Police Station, from where they were later released following the intervention of senior officials.
A day after the incident, senior police officials took action against the three officers on the instructions of Sindh’s Interior Minister, Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar. During the investigation into the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Sheema Kermani, along with fifteen women activists from the Human Rights Commission, it was established that the South Police carried out the operation without the approval of senior police authorities.