New Delhi, May 28 -- For the organisers of the annual women's rights demonstration known as Aurat (Women) March, it had been a stressful few days leading up to the event, held this year to coincide with Mother's Day in Pakistan's largest city.

As always, it was a struggle to obtain the no-objection certificate known as NOC, a colonial-era administrative permit required for public gatherings.

Four days before the event, when organisers arrived at the Karachi Press Club to hold a press conference about this, police apprehended classical dancer and theatre activist Sheema Kermani, one of the movement's leaders. She is also a leading voice for peace with neighbouring India and in the region.

Half a dozen other women activists were similarl...