The Sindh High Court (SHC) fined a petitioner seeking a ban on the Aurat March.
The Sindh High Court in its verdict dismissed the plea seeking a ban on the Aurat March and slapped a fine of Rs25,000.
According to details, the court in its verdict said the applicant failed in providing material to support his petition to ban Aurat March in the province.
Verdict said that Applicant moved to court just for publicity. The court directed the applicant to submit a fine of Rs25,000 or else his Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) will be blocked.
Earlier in the day, Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir recused to hear a petition against the administration’s refusal to ‘Aurat March’ rally.
Organizers of the Aurat March in Pakistan have frequently had to resort to legal action to counter attempts to ban it. The Aurat March rallies have blown a controversy because of banners and placards waved by participants that raise subjects such as divorce and sexual harassment.
Organizers and participants have been accused of promoting Western, liberal values and disrespecting religious and cultural sensitivities. Women have long fought for basic rights in Pakistan, where activists say men commit “pervasive and intractable” violence against them.
About Aurat March
Aurat March is an annual feminist march that takes place in various cities in Pakistan on International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on 8th March. The march is organized by women’s rights activists and aims to raise awareness about issues that affect women and marginalized communities in Pakistan.
The march began in Karachi in 2018 and has since spread to other cities in Pakistan, including Lahore and Islamabad. The participants of the march include women from all walks of life, including students, professionals, activists, and members of marginalized communities.
The issues highlighted by the Aurat March include gender-based violence, sexual harassment, the gender pay gap, reproductive rights, and the lack of representation of women in politics and other spheres of public life. The march also aims to challenge patriarchal norms and promote gender equality in Pakistani society.
The Aurat March has been controversial in Pakistan, with some conservative groups and individuals criticizing the march and accusing its participants of promoting “immorality” and “western values.” However, supporters of the march arguing that it is an important platform for women’s voices to be heard and for the country to make progress toward gender equality.
