The ‘Aurat March’ was held today in various cities across Pakistan to mark International Women’s Day. The marches were attended by women, children, men, transgender people and others.
The first Aurat March was held in 2018 in Karachi. Last year, it was extended to more cities, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana and Hyderabad.
This year the march was once again held in various cities including Quetta, etc
In Islamabad participants of the Aurat March gathered outside the National Press Club at 3pm, where the ‘Haya March — which was held by Jamia Hafsa students — also culminated. In order to avoid clashes, authorities had erected a tent between the two marches.
However, after the Jamia Hufsa students ended their march, the male participants took down the tent and started throwing stones, injuring at least one member of the Aurat March, Dawn reported. The situation was soon brought under control by police.
The incident was condemned by the organisers of Islamabad’s Aurat March, who questioned the security measures taken by authorities for the event.
“Iss nizaam se chahtay hain Azadi! (we want freedom from this system!!)” the tweet said.
Separately, female members of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) held a march outside the National Press Club.
The participants of the JI march reached China Chowk from the National Press Club where JI chief Sirajul Haq addressed the gathering.
During his address, Haq said that the Election Commission of Pakistan should not name any hopeful who as male doesn’t give his sister her inheritance rights.
In Lahore, marchers gathered at the Lahore Press Club. Carrying placards, they played the drums, clapped and chanted slogans.
In Karachi, advocates of women’s rights held the Aurat March at the Frere Hall garden. Pakistan Peoples Party-Shaheed Bhutto leader Ghinwa Bhutto also arrived at the venue to participate in the march.