Organisers accuse authorities of blocking access and intimidating activists during press conference.
WHAT Happened? Activists Raise Alarm Over Abductions in Karachi
Organisers of the Aurat March on Thursday expressed grave concern over what they described as a dangerous rise in alleged abductions and enforced disappearances of minors and young women in Karachi. Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club (KPC), social activist Sheema Kermani said the situation is deteriorating rapidly, with girls as young as 14 and 15 reportedly being taken away.
WHY the Protest Matters: Demands for Recovery of Missing Baloch Women and Minors
Kermani demanded the immediate safe return of Nasreen Baloch, Mahjabeen Baloch, and several others whose families have been appealing for their recovery. Activists also called for the release of minors and differently-abled individuals allegedly detained in custody. They argue that the state has a constitutional responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable communities but is failing to do so.
WHERE Tensions Escalated: Heavy Police Presence at KPC
A heavy police presence surrounded the Karachi Press Club as activists arrived. According to Kermani, police attempted to block the entrance, used force to control movement, and imposed traffic restrictions around the area. She also accused law enforcement of detaining Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Seema Din Baloch ahead of the press briefing.
HOW Communities Are Feeling: Rising Fear and Social Pressure
Families across Karachi, especially in Baloch-majority localities, say they are increasingly afraid to let their children particularly girls, leave home alone. Activists believe that delays in investigations and the absence of transparent procedures are deepening mistrust between citizens and law-enforcement institutions. Many families fear speaking publicly due to social pressure and concerns over retaliation.
What This Indicates for Civil Liberties in Pakistan
The Aurat March’s concerns highlight three major national issues:
- Human Rights Enforcement: Alleged disappearances of women and minors point toward systemic gaps in state protection.
- Policing and Public Freedom: Attempted restrictions on activists at KPC raise questions about the state’s tolerance for peaceful assembly and dissent.
- Marginalised Communities at Risk: The repeated targeting of Baloch women reflects deepening ethnic vulnerability and widening trust deficits between communities and authorities.
The situation, activists warn, now represents not just isolated incidents but a larger structural crisis that demands transparent inquiry and policy reform.
As the Aurat March amplifies its call, all attention now turns to government authorities whether they will address the escalating concerns or allow public fear and mistrust to grow. Karachi’s families, especially its most vulnerable, continue to wait for answers.