IHC throws out petition seeking to stop Aurat March.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court on Friday rejected a petition seeking a ban on Aurat March countrywide rallies scheduled for March 8 demanding social justice and equality for women declaring it neither justiciable nor maintainable. Dismissing the plea, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that the event, observed on the International Women's Day, should be taken as an opportunity to introspect by the petitioners and citizens because of the practices against women that were 'flagrantly offensive to the injunctions of Islam' rampant in the society.

The judge noted that the right to assembly was a fundamental right but the court expected the participants of Aurat March to exercise it in accordance with law and ensure that their 'conduct was consistent with the norms of decency'. The...