Islamabad, 6 March 2023 (GNP): Amir Mir, the interim Information Minister for Punjab, has pledged that the caretaker administration won’t block protesters engaging in the Aurat March in the province and that all of their concerns have been taken care of.
The district government was asked for a no objection certificate (NOC) by the Aurat March organizing committee to host a rally on March 8 at Nasser Bagh in Lahore, preceded by a march around the park’s periphery.
DC Rafia Haider, however, had rejected the request, citing “the current security scenario, threat alerts, and law and order situation, besides the light of activities like controversial cards and banners for spreading awareness of women’s rights and the strong reservation of the public and religious organizations, especially JI’s (Jamaat-i-Islami) women’s and student wings, who had also announced a program against the Aurat March.”
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Following that, the organizers of the Aurat March petitioned the Lahore High Court on Saturday night, claiming that the DC’s decision was “arbitrary, discriminatory, and ultra vires” of several constitutional articles.
Judge Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir will consider the petition on March 6 (Monday).
According to a statement made public today by Mir, the administration has given protection to Aurat March protesters. The participants will get full police protection.
He claimed that the caretaker government won’t become an impediment to the demonstrations, adding that “our caretaker government believes in the freedom of all individuals”.
The minister also stated that all objections raised by the demonstrators would be dropped.
“We hope the Aurat March will be held peacefully,” he added.
Previously, civil society, political parties, and rights organizations denounced the deputy commissioner for rejecting the request to organize the Aurat March on March 8, International Women’s Day.
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The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan harshly criticized the Lahore district government for denying the organizers of the Aurat March permission to host a public rally in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8.
‘Controversial’ signs and strong objections from the public and religious organizations pose a threat to law and order, thus it is regretful that the district administration regularly challenges their right to peaceful assembly. It’s a weak defense.
The Aurat Marchers’ right to peaceful assembly must be upheld, and complete protection must be given to them, according to the HRCP’s demand of the interim Punjab administration.
