Court summons DC, SC security on petition seeking permission for Aurat March
LAHORE, March 6 (SABAH): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday summoned the Lahore deputy commissioner and superintendent of police (SP) security by March 7 on a plea challenging the DC’s order wherein he declined permission to hold the Aurat March on March 8.
Justice Anwaar Hussain heard the petition and passed 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, Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO) and the National Commission for Human Rights through its Punjab member were made respondents.
The petitioners implored that the aforementioned impugned order is “an arbitrary and colourable exercise of power” and requested the court to strike down the commissioner’s order.
The petition stated that the order is 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 struggle 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 run entirely by citizens working voluntarily as it does not partner with NGOs, political parties or corporations. “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 has 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 petition stated that the Aurat March seeks to propose solutions that would challenge patriarchal cultural norms and withstand the changing political course. It believes in voluntary collective action which would ultimately translate into better laws and policies, “improving our collective lives at the community, local, national and international levels”.