Aurat March cannot be stopped under constitution: LHC

LAHORE: Wrapping the petition against holding of Aurat March, the Lahore High Court (LHC) reiterated that the March could not be stopped under the Constitution.

During the hearing, the LHC also directed Lahore district authorities to speed up its decision on an application seeking permission to hold the gathering.

LHC Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh said, “The Aurat March could not be stopped under the law and constitution of Pakistan.”

He also directed the marchers to refrain from hate speech and immorality.

The petitioner, Azhar Siddiqui while reiterating his statement from the previous hearing, told the court that they never wanted to stop Aurat March.

Azhar Siddiqui said, “Slogans like ‘Mera Jism Meri Marzi’ (my body, my choice) showed perception in the world that we oppress our women.”

Nighat Dad, who is defending the holding of the march in Court, told the petitioner that he has written in his petition that the march is anti-state, which was a very dangerous claim.

Nighat Dad also assured that no actions against the law will take place at the march.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the LHC chief justice said, “There are no two opinions about women’s rights and it is the responsibility of the organisers of the Aurat March to ensure that no immoral slogans are raised at the march.”

 “The organisers and participants of the march should remain within the ambit of the law. The police DIG Operations has assured foolproof security for the march,” Justice Sheikh said.

Earlier, the petition has claimed that there are various anti-state parties funding the march with the sole purpose of spreading anarchy in public.