Sheema Kermani among women activists briefly detained outside Karachi Press Club

Police in Karachi’s South district detain eight women, including members of the Women’s March and transgender rights activists, as they gathered at the Press Club to hold a press conference in connection with International Mother’s Day

KARACHI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 5^th, 2026) Prominent activist Sheema Kermani was among several women briefly detained by police outside the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday before being released following intervention by senior government officials.

The police in Karachi’s South district detained eight women, including members of the Women’s March and transgender rights activists, as they gathered at the Press Club to hold a press conference in connection with International Mother’s Day.

Police officials said the group was taken into custody before they could address the media, citing concerns over a possible breach of peace.

Those detained included renowned activist and classical dancer Sheema Kermani, along with Munizae Jahangir, transgender rights activist Shahzadi Rai, and other participants.

Organisers said a heavy deployment of police personnel, including female officers, was already present outside the Press Club ahead of the scheduled press briefing.

As the activists arrived, they were detained and shifted to a nearby police station in police mobile vans.

During the incident, Sheema Kermani reportedly protested against the action, stopping her vehicle at the Press Club gate and strongly condemning the detentions. She was subsequently removed from her vehicle by female police officers and also taken into custody.

The detentions led to brief tension and a gathering of journalists and activists outside the Press Club, while some participants managed to enter the premises.

South district police maintained that preventive action was taken due to security concerns.

However, following the intervention of senior Sindh government officials, all detained activists were released shortly afterwards. After their release, the women returned to the Press Club and continued their engagement.