Sheema Kermani ‘ejected’ from UK mission programme in Karachi for raising pro-Palestine slogan

Sheema Kermani is reported to have been ‘ejected’ “ejected” from a programme held at the British Deputy High Commission Karachi on Friday after she raised a slogan in favour of the people of Gaza.

Classical dancer, social activist and founder of the cultural action group Tehrik-i-Niswan Sheema Kermani told a news publication that the event was held to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III on Friday and guests also included other artists, politicians, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and other officials.

According to her, when they were making speeches and sending felicitations to Britain she raised the slogan “Ceasefire Now”.

This prompted security personnel to come closer to her and try to force her out of their premises. “That’s when I asked them to not touch me as I would see myself out,” Kermani said.

“They were all congratulating the British Government and the royal family without any mention of the atrocities taking place in Gaza. I just had to do what I did. I couldn’t stay silent. Sadly, when the other guests saw me being thrown out and my leaving, none of them, not even one of them, decided to also take a stand and join me,” she added.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the British Deputy High Commission said that Ms Kermani was shouting during “an important speech about climate change in Pakistan by the British Deputy High Commissioner”.

The spokesperson added that it was then that the “security personnel came forth to stop her from shouting. But then she left on her own. So it won’t be correct to say that we threw her out”.