LAHORE: Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir has promised that the caretak-er government will not place any obstacles for Aurat March protesters in the province, adding that all the reservations of the event’s organisers had been addressed.
The Aurat March organising committee had last month requested a no objection certificate (NOC) from the district administration to hold a rally on March 8 at Nasser Bagh, Lahore, followed by a march around the perimeter of the park.
However, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider had rejected the plea citing “the cur-rent security scenario, threat alerts, and law and order situa-tion, and in light of activities like controversial cards and banners for awareness of women’s rights and the strong reser-vation of the general public and religious organizations, especially JI’s (Jamaat-i-Islami) women’s and student wings, who had also announced a programme against the Aurat March.” Subsequently, Aurat March organisers petitioned the Lahore High Court on Saturday night, saying that the DC’s order was “arbitrary, discriminato-ry and ultra vires” of various constitutional articles. The petition has been fixed for March 6 (Monday) and will be heard by Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir.
In a statement released today, Mir said that the government has decided to provide securi-ty to Aurat March protesters. “Complete police security will be given to the participants.”
He said that the caretaker government won’t become a hindrance for the demonstrators, adding that “our caretaker government believes in the free-dom of all individuals”.
The minister further said that all the reservations put forward by the protesters will have been removed.
“We hope the Aurat March will be held in a peaceful manner,” he added.
Earlier, civil society, political parties, and rights organisations condemned the deputy commissioner for rejecting the plea to organise Aurat March on International Women’s Day on March 8.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also strongly condemned the Lahore district administration for rejecting Aurat March organisers per-mission to hold a public rally mark-ing International Women’s Day on March 8. –Agencies
