The Multan administration on Tuesday finally issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Aurat March organisers for holding a rally on International Women’s Day at Nawan Shehr Chowk amid protests from rights activists for earlier rejecting permission to the rally organisers.
The Aurat March is held annually to observe International Women’s Day across several cities in Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, and Multan among others.
The basic demands behind the march are equal opportunities for everyone, including transgenders and women; raising awareness regarding gender-based violence, and calling on authorities to make laws in this regard. The demands also include risks related to climate change and the exploitation of the poor that comes with it among many other issues.
However, the organisers of the March face resistance from the government and regressive elements in society every year.
The development comes after a much delay from the Multan District Commissioner.
Aurat March Multan organisers shared the development on their Twitter handle.
We are excited to announce that the District Administration has given NOC for this year’s #AuratMarchMultan. We are hoping to see you all tomorrow at Nawan Shehar Chowk at 4pm. Bring your placards and celebrate sister hood with us. #MarchToHoga #AuratMarch2023 pic.twitter.com/XPKlWLx7Vi
— Aurat March Multan- عورت مارچ ملتان (@AuratMarchMultn) March 7, 2023
Despite Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir’s assurance that the government will not hinder the Aurat March rallies in the province, the Multan DC denied the request of the Aurat March organising committee to issue a No Objection Certificate for holding a rally at Nawan Shehr Chowk, Multan.
According to the organising committee of the Aurat March Multan, the city administration had also misbehaved with the Aurat March organisers.
The rights activists had condemned the city administration’s move.
