Woman Detained in Moro Police Raid Sparks Protest

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A female social worker, Shahnaz Shaikh, was detained during an early morning police raid on Friday at her residence in Sindh’s Moro area, according to her family and local supporters. The arrest led to a sit-in protest that lasted nearly nine hours outside the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

Family members allege that Shaikh was taken without being formally named in any First Information Report (FIR). They further claim she was moved to an undisclosed location, and her whereabouts remain unknown as of the time of reporting.

Shaikh, known for her activism in rural Sindh, had posted on social media shortly before the raid. In her last public post, she stated that the police were planning to arrest her due to her decision to visit Bijarani-Laghari village in Noushehro Feroze district. She intended to show solidarity with residents of the village, which had recently been placed under a police lockdown.

The area has been under scrutiny following the May 20 incident involving a blockade of the National Highway and an attack on the residence of Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar in Moro. Following the incident, the police reportedly increased their presence in the district and began detaining individuals allegedly linked to the unrest.

No official police statement has yet been released regarding Shaikh’s arrest or detention. Local rights groups have called on authorities to disclose her location and ensure legal due process.

Meanwhile, the protest held outside the SSP office included civil society members, political workers, and local residents. Protesters demanded her immediate release and criticized what they described as the misuse of police authority against peaceful activists.

Authorities have neither confirmed Shaikh’s custody nor denied claims that she was detained. There are growing concerns over the lack of transparency and the increasing use of preventive detentions in politically sensitive regions.

Legal experts say the matter raises questions about the protection of civil rights and the need for law enforcement to follow proper legal channels when making arrests, especially involving public figures or activists.

As of now, efforts to contact law enforcement officials for a response remain unanswered.