LAHORE: The Aurat March will hold its demonstration in Lahore on February 12, with security provided by local police, the Lahore High Court (LHC) was informed on Thursday.
Justice Anwaar Hussain presided over a contempt of court hearing against Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Syed Musa Raza and other officials. The petition, filed by the march organisers, accused authorities of delaying approval for the event.
During the proceedings, DC Raza confirmed that permission had been granted for the march. A government lawyer submitted an official letter detailing security arrangements for the event. According to the letter, the additional deputy commissioner assured “foolproof security” for participants.
Following this, the court disposed of the case after being satisfied that the necessary permissions were in place.
The petitioners, including Khawar Mumtaz, Leena Ghani, Neelam Hussain, Fatima Jan, and Shereen Umair, had filed the case last week against Lahore DC, Operations DG Muhammad Faisal Kamran, and Chief Traffic Officer Athar Waheed.
They alleged that officials were using delaying tactics and violating a 2023 court order by not processing their application for the demonstration.
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This year, the Aurat March will follow its traditional route from Lahore Press Club to Edgerton Road, outside the PIA Office—the same path used in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Unlike previous years, when it was held on March 8 (International Women’s Day), the march will take place on February 12 to mark National Women’s Day of Pakistan. This date commemorates the 1983 protest led by the Punjab Women Lawyers’ Association against General Zia-ul-Haq’s discriminatory Law of Evidence, during which women faced police brutality and arrests on Lahore’s Mall Road.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Aurat March Lahore reaffirmed its commitment to honouring the courage of those who fought for women’s rights in Pakistan.