Dr Farzana Bari and 13 others were arrested during the Aurat March in Islamabad on Sunday, authorities said.

Islamabad Police said 11 women and 3 men, including organisers and participants of the march, were taken into custody in Sector F-6.

Officials cited Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings, as the reason for the arrests.

The district administration confirmed that no NOC (No Objection Certificate) had been issued for the march, which had been announced to move from Sector F-6 to D Chowk.

The arrests sparked responses from civil society activists who have long organised the Aurat March to advocate for women’s rights in Pakistan.