Aurat March organisers petition LHC against DC's NOC refusal for March 8 rally.

LAHORE -- The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday fixed for hearing a petition moved by Aurat March organisers against the deputy commissioner's decision to deny them permission to stage the march citing 'security concerns'.

The Aurat March organising committee had last month requested a no objection certificate (NOC) from the district administration to hold a rally on March 8 at Nasser Bagh, Lahore, followed by a march around the perimeter of the park.

However, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider had rejected the plea citing 'the current security scenario, threat alerts, and law and order situation, and in light of activities like controversial cards and banners for awareness of women's rights and the strong reservation of the general public and religious organizations, especially JI's (Jamaat-i-Islami) women's and student wings, who had also announced a programme against the Aurat March.'

Khawar Mumtaz, Leena Ghani and Hiba Akbar submitted a petition to the LHC today, under Article 199 (jurisdiction of high...