In Lahore, a peaceful Friday protest turned into a flashpoint over civil liberties as police detained activists rallying in support of Kashmir. The arrests, which included prominent organizer Farooq Tariq, have reignited concerns about the shrinking space for political dissent in Pakistan. Main Developments Members of the Haqooq-i-Khalq Party (HKP) were arrested outside the press club while demonstrating in solidarity with the Joint Action Committee of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Witnesses described protesters being dragged and harassed before being forced into police vans. Among those detained were Farooq Tariq, Muzammil Kakar, Hussain Jameel Faridi, and several others from the Khalq Youth Front and Progressive Students Collective. The list included Haris Azad, Zahid Ali, Ali Raza, Ali Abdullah, Rai Ali Aftab, and Sher Ali. Read also: Mazari's Supreme Court Plea Targets Delayed Sentence Review A party spokesperson later confirmed all detainees were released on the condition they would not demonstrate on Saturday. However, the HKP expressed deep concern over the initial lack of information about the detainees' whereabouts and demanded their immediate release. Background The protest was organized to back the Joint Awami Action Committee in Azad Kashmir, which has been demonstrating since early June in Rawalakot and other cities. The committee claims 30 protesters have been killed in a crackdown since the July 27 polling day. Its central demand is the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiris living in various cities of Pakistan. The Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC), which counts Tariq as a federal committee member, condemned his arrest as an arbitrary act. Why It Matters The PKRC described the incommunicado detention as a violation of constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and political dissent. The incident underscores the fragile state of civil liberties in Pakistan, where even symbolic solidarity actions can trigger heavy-handed responses. For activists, the arrests signal a worrying pattern of criminalizing peaceful political activity, a trend that could deter future protests. The swift release with conditions also highlights the precariousness of such freedoms, which can be revoked at any moment. What's Next Farooq Tariq announced on social media that the protest would be rescheduled, urging supporters not to gather at Shimla Hill (press club) and promising to return with prior permission. The HKP and PKRC continue to demand an end to the criminalization of peaceful dissent and respect for constitutional rights. Observers will watch whether authorities grant permission for the next demonstration and whether the Joint Action Committee's grievances in Azad Kashmir gain further traction. The coming days may reveal whether this episode is a one-off or a harbinger of tighter restrictions on political expression.