LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the organizers of Aurat March and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider to finalize the venue for the march by 2 pm.
The development came during the hearing of a petition filed by a citizen for permission to hold the Aurat March – the country’s women’s rights movement – in Lahore on March 8.
The district administration of Lahore last week refused to allow the organizers of the march to hold a public rally.
Permission was sought from the local authorities for the event, however, the city’s DC rejected the requests citing threat alerts from security agencies.
During today’s hearing, the court ordered the two parties to hold consultations to decide the venue.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police (SP) Civil Lines appeared in the court.
Justice Anwar Hussain while hearing the application said that these matters are brought to the court every time.
The DC said that this time they were requested to allow him to march in Nasir Bagh. “The PSL is also happening and hence the teams also travel,” he added.
“Then why are there public gatherings?” Justice Hussain asked the question.
The court remarked that the police become active on the appearance of a political leader.
DC Haider said that there was a clash during the Aurat March last year.
“You can’t stop them from holding a woman march,” LHC remarked.
The public prosecutor suggested that a march could be held outside the Press Club.
The court remarked that the administration is directed to maintain law and order situation in the city. It added that the organizers of the march should also take responsibility to ensure that there are no riots.
The court said that the DC’s notification of refusal to grant permission for the event was not valid.
“When political parties hold public meetings, they also consult the administration,” he added.
The court directed both the parties to mutually decide the venue and inform the court by 2 pm.
