Aurat March
ISLAMABAD: The organizers of the Aurat March in Islamabad have announced their decision to proceed with their planned rally despite not receiving formal permission from the authorities.
The march, set to take place on Saturday, will begin at the National Press Club and is intended to culminate at D-Chowk in commemoration of International Women’s Day. However, the Islamabad administration has yet to issue a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the event.
Dr. Farzana Bari, a prominent rights activist and one of the key organizers of the Aurat March, confirmed on Friday night that the rally would take place as planned. She stated that the organizers had submitted an official request months ago, seeking permission to conduct the march from the National Press Club to D-Chowk. Despite their efforts, no approval had been granted by the authorities.
Dr. Bari further revealed that the march organizers had also written a formal letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to intervene and instruct the Islamabad administration to issue the necessary permissions. However, instead of addressing their request, officials had advised them to postpone the event, citing the ongoing holy month of Ramazan as the reason.
While acknowledging the religious significance of the month, the organizers emphasized that they had already decided to observe the event with simplicity. To respect the sanctity of Ramazan, they assured that there would be no music or celebratory activities.
However, they made it clear that forgoing their right to observe International Women’s Day was not an option, as it is a crucial annual occasion dedicated to advocating for women’s rights.
According to Dr. Bari, the organizers have urged participants to gather at the National Press Club at 1 p.m., after which they will attempt to march towards D-Chowk around 4 p.m. Despite the lack of official permission, the organizers remain committed to holding the event as planned.
In an open letter shared on Instagram, the Aurat March organizers highlighted their ongoing struggle to secure permission for the event. They pointed out that for the past six years, their attempts to obtain an NOC had been unsuccessful.
The letter also condemned the past violence faced by march participants at the hands of religious fundamentalist groups, the police, and the Islamabad administration. It warned that such actions send a negative message to the international community about the state of women’s rights in Pakistan.
Despite these challenges, the organizers remain determined to hold the march and continue their advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality in Pakistan.
