MARDAN: Protest demonstrations and rallies were held here on Saturday by different organisations against the ‘Aurat March’ scheduled to be held on March 8 (Monday).

Representatives of Markazi Tanzeem-i-Tajraan, the Youth Parliament and Jamaat-i-Islami participated in the agitation.

The protesters were led by traders’ body president Zahir Shah and JI local leader Ibrahim Biland.

The protesters reached the Mardan Press Club, where they blocked the Shamsi Road for several hours, calling for cancellation of the Monday’s event.

On the occasion, the protest leaders criticised the holding of Aurat March, terming it a source of obscenity and vulgarity. They expressed their strong determination that they would not allow Pakistan to become as secular state.

They warned the government to stop the Aurat March and arrest its organisers as they were trying to ‘destroy’ the young generation.

The leaders said they would continue protest rallies and demonstrations till the event was cancelled.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2021