Participants of the Aurat March made their way to D-Chowk despite resistance from police officials.

A heavy contingent of the police is still around as speeches from participants continue.

Police officials baton-charged the participants of the March as they tried to restrict them to the area infront of the press club.

Videos circulating on social media show a bitter exchange between a police officer and the attendees of the march.

The participants of the march began to chant slogans against the police as they were restrained from taking the rally outside the Islamabad press club. However, participants are still aiming to march to D-Chowk.

Another video show that Aurat March organisers and attendees were refused entry to the press club and attacked by police.

Earlier, an attempt to block Aurat March in the federal capital of Islamabad was defeated as Islamabad High Court has thrown out a petition. The decision comes on the heels of similar judgments from the Lahore and Sindh high courts.

Aurat March events are being held in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad and other major cities. There are reports that marches will also be held in cities such as Balochistan’s Turbat and Sindh’s Ghotki.

The Lahore event is being held between 2pm and 6pm at NADRA center near Shimla Pahari, from where the marchers will go to the Faletti’s Hotel. The organizers have told participants to “bring water, a hat, your mask and placard — and your josh!”

In Karachi, Baloch women will lead Aurat March from the Arts Council at 3pm.

Islamabad High Court rejects petition against Aurat March

The Islamabad High Court rejected a petition against Aurat March on Wednesday, ruling that it was not admissible.

The petitioner had claimed that the Islamabad deputy commissioner’s decision to allow Aurat March went against Islamic injunctions.

A day earlier, the Lahore High Court rejected a similar petition.