Aurat March’ in Faisalabad was called off on Sunday, reportedly due to pressure from the city administration, which refused to issue a no-objection certificate to the organizers (NOC).
The march was organized by students, civil society, and women to raise awareness about “ongoing femicide and protest the brutal murders of women throughout the country in the name of ‘isolated incidents,’ as well as to cause collective social change in the way women are treated.”
The organizers had begun a social media campaign in support of the march a few days prior and had also appealed to the district administration for a no-objection certificate (NOC) to hold the march on Sunday.
The official Twitter account of the Aurat March Faisalabad tweeted, “Aurat march has been postponed owing to ‘security concerns.’ A new update will be available soon.”
aurat march has been postponed due to security concerns. New update will be posted shortly
— AURAT MARCH FAISALABAD (@FaisalabadMarch) August 1, 2021
Nida Kirmani, a teacher and rights activist, tweeted: “Just heard that @FaisalabadMarch’s event was canceled today. #shameonAcFSD for canceling the NOC for this important event. More power to the students for organizing this. We are with you 100%!”
Just heard that @FaisalabadMarch’s event was cancelled today. #shameonAcFSD for cancelling the NOC for this important event. More power to the students for organising this. We are with you 100%!
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) August 1, 2021
Moeez Abid, one of the Aurat March’s organizers, also expressed his disappointment with the administration for refusing to allow the march for women’s rights to take place.