The Aurat March in Lahore is all set to take place on February 12, with full security provided by local police, the Lahore High Court was informed on Thursday. The court was hearing a contempt case filed by the march organizers against Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza and other officials for allegedly delaying their request for the event.
During the hearing, DC Raza confirmed that permission for the march had been granted. A government lawyer also submitted a letter detailing the security arrangements, stating that “foolproof security” has been put in place for the demonstration.
The case was dismissed once the court was assured that the necessary permissions had been given. The petition had been filed by organizers Khawar Mumtaz, Leena Ghani, Neelam Hussain, Fatima Jan, and Shereen Umair, who had accused the authorities of using delaying tactics and not following a 2023 court order.
This year’s march will follow its traditional route from Lahore Press Club to Edgerton Road, near the PIA Office—the same route used in previous years (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024). Unlike previous editions held on International Women’s Day (March 8), this march is scheduled for February 12 to commemorate Pakistan’s National Women’s Day. According to a statement by Aurat March Lahore on Instagram, the date marks the anniversary of a 1983 protest organized by the Punjab Women Lawyer’s Association against discriminatory laws during General Zia’s regime.