Social media users question PM’s Women’s Day message after Aurat March arrests in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message on International Women’s Day has drawn criticism from social media users, following the arrest of several Aurat March participants in Islamabad.

On Friday, the prime minister posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) stating, “On International Women’s Day, I wish to reiterate my government’s commitment to ensuring a safe, equal and enabling environment for women. The government is taking steps to empower women, protect their rights and provide them opportunities to excel in every field.”

However, the message was met with skepticism online, as it came shortly after reports of Aurat March participants being detained by police in the federal capital. Social media users highlighted the contradiction between the government’s stated commitment to women’s rights and the treatment of women activists during the march.

According to Dawn, netizens expressed their disapproval by sharing images and videos of the arrests, and questioned the sincerity of the government’s promises. One user wrote, “How can you talk about women’s rights when women are being arrested for demanding those very rights?” Another commented, “The government’s actions speak louder than words.”

The Aurat March, an annual event held to mark International Women’s Day, has often faced resistance from authorities and conservative groups. This year, participants in Islamabad were reportedly detained by police, sparking outrage among activists and rights groups.

Online criticism intensified as users juxtaposed the prime minister’s message with footage of women being taken into custody. Many called for the immediate release of the detained activists and urged the government to uphold its commitments to gender equality.

As per the report, the incident has reignited debate over the state of women’s rights in Pakistan and the challenges faced by those advocating for gender equality.