The Sindh police on Wednesday suspended three police officials for alleged mistreatment of Aurat March activists, including Sheema Kermani.

On Tuesday, the activists were detained after they gathered at Karachi Press Club (KPC) for a press conference to demand a no-objection certificate (NOC) for their upcoming annual march in Karachi.

However, the police released all activists after briefly detaining them on the orders of Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar.

“In connection with the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Sheema Kermani and women human rights activists, Karachi Additional Inspector General (AIG) Azad Khan has issued orders to suspend Saddar Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nasir Afridi, Women Station House Officer (SHO) Hina Mughal, and Artillery Maidan Police Station SHO Nadeem,” according to an official press release by Karachi Police spokesperson.

“On the orders of the police chief, a transparent inquiry will be conducted and action will be taken against those responsible in accordance with the law,” the release added.

The police chief also directed that such incidents must be avoided by ensuring professional conduct and full respect for the constitutional rights of citizens.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the spokesperson for Sindh home minister said, “On the instructions of the home minister, action has been taken in connection with the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Sheema Kermani and women human rights activists”.

“The Sindh home minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident,” the spokesperson said.

“Lanjar said there is a zero-tolerance policy against misuse of authority,” the spokesperson stated, adding that respect for women and protection of their rights would be ensured at all costs.

Home minister phones Sheema Kirmani, expresses regrets

The home minister also spoke personally with Kirmani and expressed his regrets. He assured Kirmani that the requirements of justice would be fulfilled.

He observed that he was personally saddened over such a regrettable incident.

Lanjar said that the PPP had always been a torchbearer of respect and equal rights to women and the transgender community.

He said that human dignity, equality and justice were the vision of the former premier and party chairwoman Benazir Bhutto and the current chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, adding that the PPP government would ensure the implementation of these principles.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast heatwave conditions across the country this week, starting in the south and central areas from Thursday.

“Due to the presence of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, heatwave conditions are likely to develop over southern and central parts of the country from May 7-11 [and] in upper parts from May 8-10,” a press release issued on Wednesday by the PMD said.

It noted that daytime maximum temperatures may rise to 46-50°C in Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Nausheroferoze, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Sibbi, Turbat and Panjgur.

It also forecast 43-47°C weather in Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan; and 39-43°C in the upper regions, namely Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara and Kasur.

Very hot weather is expected in Karachi during the forecast period and the maximum temperature is likely to remain between 35-38°C, the statement added.

However, the Met Office noted that a shallow westerly wave is likely to affect the upper parts of the country on the evening of May 10 and is likely to persist until May 13.

“This system is likely to bring relief from the prevailing hot conditions in the upper parts of the country,” it said.

The PMD advised the general public, “especially children, women and senior citizens”, to be “cautious”, avoiding unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and remaining hydrated.

It also advised farmers to manage their crop activities and take care of their livestock in view of the weather conditions.

At least 10 people died across Karachi on Monday due to intense heat as the mercury surged to 44.1°C — the highest temperature recorded since 2018 — accompanied by gusts of continental winds that persisted throughout the day, officials said.

The same day, the Nati­onal Disaster Manage­ment Authority (NDMA) issued sweeping emergency protocols and placed hospitals on alert as extreme, above-normal summer temperatures threatened millions across the country.