KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of a petition against Aurat March till April 3 after federal and provincial authorities sought more time to submit comments.

The lawyer for Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, informed the SHC that it had nothing to do with Aurat March, but only organised a cultural dance programme to mark International Women’s Day.

At the previous hearing, the SHC had issued notices to the respondents as well as the federal and provincial law officers to file comments and summoned the officials of the Arts Council.

Eight female lawyers had moved the SHC, asking it to restrain respondents and other organisations from holding illicit and immoral activities, including a dance junction, carrying immodest and rebellious slogans on placards during the Aurat March — a public demonstration held annually in various cities to mark the International Women’s Day.

When a two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi took up the matter for hearing on Tuesday, the Arts Council president, along with the lawyer, turned up.

The counsel submitted that Aurat March was being organised by different organisations and the Arts Council had only arranged a cultural event (dance junction) to mark the March 8 event.

Some federal and provincial law officers asked the bench to grant more time to file comments on behalf of the official respondents.

Adjourning the hearing till April 3, the bench directed them to file comments before the next hearing.

The bench again issued notice to the DC-South regarding permissions granted for Aurat March.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2024