The Aurat Azadi March has finally received the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the administration after many days of negotiations, but the permission has been granted subject to a range of unnecessarily strict conditions.
The NOC disallows loudspeaker, fireworks and political speeches at the Aurat March. The administration has also barred placards which are 'hurtful to any segment of the society', adding that there should be 'no speech against general norms and values which may provoke the sentiment of any group or individual'.
On Friday, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah had dismissed a petition against the Aurat March, condemning the 'tribal mindset' that opposes it. He had also urged the administration to facilitate the marchers and ensure their security.