Aurat March organizers move LHC, seek contempt action against Lahore DC, CTO

Lahore High Court has sought replies from Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza and other concerned officers on a contempt petition filed against them by the organisers of the Aurat March Lahore. 

The petitioners told the Court that they wanted to hold Aurat March event on February 12 and the local administration was not processing their application and using delaying dilatory tactics and not following court’s 2023 order. 

The petitioners, Khawar Mumtaz, Leena Ghani, Neelam Hussain, Fatima Jan and Shereen Umair, approached the Lahore High Court against the local administration. 

LHC Justice Anwaar Hussain heard the case against the Lahore DC, Operations DG Faisal Kamran and Chief Traffic Officer Athar Waheed. LHC Justice Anwaar 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 contended that the march was aimed at creating awareness on women’s rights and gender related issues. The march draws huge participation from women, gender minorities, and allies across Lahore and Pakistan. 

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 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, why the issue of the Aurat March was arising once again. 

Reporter Malik Ashraf