Lahore High Court summons replies from DC, others on Aurat March contempt petition
The Lahore High Court has issued notices to and summoned replies from Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza and several other officers on a contempt petition filed against them by the organisers of the Aurat March Lahore. The petitioners say their application to hold the event on February 12 is not being processed, accusing the officials of employing “dilatory tactics” and not following a 2023 court order.
The petitioners, Khawar Mumtaz, Leena Ghani, Neelam Hussain, Fatima Jan and Shereen Umair, approached the Lahore High Court after submitting an application to hold the Aurat March on January 10 and not hearing back from the officials.
Justice Anwaar Hussain heard on Wednesday the case against the Lahore DC, Operations DG Muhammad Faisal Kamran and Chief Traffic Officer Athar Waheed. He has summoned a report from the officials on February 3.
The Aurat March organisers are arguing that the officials are not implementing a 2023 order by the Lahore High Court ordering the offices of the Lahore Deputy Commissioner, Operations DG and Traffic Office to provide security arrangements to the petitioners and organisers of the Aurat March.
The petitioners argued that the march is held to “[raise] awareness on women’s rights and gender related issues. The march is an inclusive event organised by volunteers from civil society. It attracts widespread participation from women, gender minorities, and allies across Lahore and Pakistan. It is one of the many processions held nationwide under the same name and vision.”
This year, the march is set to be held on February 12 on its traditional route from Lahore Press Club to Edgerton Road, outside PIA Office. This is the same route that the Aurat March has taken in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The organisers said they submitted the application to hold the march by mail on Jan 10 and by hand on Jan 14 to the deputy commissioner, who forwarded it to the other respondents on January 13 but since then, no progress has been made.
“It is clear that the respondents/contemnors are employing dilatory tactics to frustrate the organisation of the Aurat March which is set to be held in two weeks,” read the petition.
“That in 2023, the offices of the respondents/contemnors employed similar dilatory tactics which were the subject of the Aurat March Judgement. The petitioners approached this court and this court held in the Aurat March Judgement that it is incumbent upon the respondents/contemnors to facilitate the organisation of the Aurat March under the fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression guaranteed by Articles 16 and 19 of the Constitution.”
The organisers have requested the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against the officials and for the court to direct them to facilitate the march.
During the hearing, Justice Hussain asked Assistant Advocate General Muhammad Usman Khan, who appeared on behalf of the Punjab government and denied that contempt of court had taken place, why the issue of the Aurat March was arising once again.
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