Aurat March: LHC summons DC, SP

Petitioners challenge denial of permission

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police (SP) security of the provincial capital on Tuesday on a plea challenging the DC's order wherein he had declined permission to hold the Aurat March on March 8.

Justice Anwaar Hussain heard the petition on Monday and issued the order after Justice Muzamil Akhtar Shabir refused to hear the plea and sent the case file to the LHC chief justice, requesting to mark it to another bench.

Petitioners Khawar Mumtaz, Leena Ghani and Hiba Akbar had filed the petition in which the Lahore DC, Punjab government through its chief secretary, capital city police officer (CCPO) and the National Commission for Human Rights through its Punjab member were made respondents.

Read Plea challenges DC’s refusal to allow Aurat March

The petitioners implored that the impugned order was "an arbitrary and colourable exercise of power" and requested the court to strike it down.

The petition stated that the order was in clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed in the constitution - particularly but not limited to the right to assembly, freedom of speech as well as the right to non-discrimination and to be treated in accordance with law as guaranteed in Articles 15, 16, 17, 19 and 25, respectively.

The petitioners maintained that they represented a multitude of Pakistani women of all hues who were struggling for a better Pakistan.

"They have supported and worked for the promotion of human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the constitution, especially for the most vulnerable segments of society.

They have initiated campaigns against discriminatory legislation, policies and social practices as well as crimes against women and transgender people.

They have also participated in rallies and marches for women’s rights, including the Aurat March which is annually held across Pakistan since 2018 on March 8 to celebrate International Women’s Day." According to the plea, the march is organised entirely by citizens working voluntarily as it does not partner with NGOs, political parties or corporations.

Read More Lahore DC refuses permission for Aurat March, fears clash with JI

"It gradually evolved into a social movement with women and transgender people from all spheres of life joining hands to work for women's and trans rights.

Journalists, lawyers, doctors, artists, engineers, homemakers, trade union activists and students have all historically joined the annual Aurat March event." The petitioners contended that in the last five years, the march had grown into various city-based chapters.

"Each year, before the march all chapters including the Lahore chapter release a well-researched manifesto and set of demands centering on various women and transgender persons’ related issues.

For instance, in 2020, the Aurat March Lahore chapter’s manifesto was on women’s healthcare and in 2022 it focused on reimagining justice.

The manifesto is drafted after extensive research and meetings with relevant communities and stakeholders.

This year, the theme for Aurat March is ‘Feminism in times of crisis’, which addresses issues of food insecurity, violence against women and transgender persons, economic justice, man-made disasters and climate justice." The plea maintained that in response to a request letter for facilitation, the deputy commissioner had sought a meeting with the representatives of the Aurat March organisers, which was held at the respondent’s office on February 28.