Aurat March Islamabad, the organization behind the annual Women’s Day march in the capital, has requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to direct the federal capital administration to issue a Non-Objection Certificate (NOC) for their upcoming rally.

Scheduled for March 8, in conjunction with International Women’s Day, the march requires an NOC to take place at the Islamabad Press Club, a public venue.

In an open letter shared on Instagram, the organisers expressed their frustration over being denied the “safety and right” to protest despite six years of efforts to secure the necessary permit.

They highlighted past instances of “violence faced from religious fundamentalist groups, police, and local authorities,” which they believe sends a “negative message internationally” regarding the status of women’s rights in Pakistan.

The organisers emphasised that International Women’s Day symbolises the “ongoing struggle for gender equality, the protection of women’s rights, and the fight against patriarchal oppression.”

They urged PM Shehbaz to exercise his leadership to ensure that their march could occur without unnecessary hindrances.

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The Lahore branch of Aurat March faced similar challenges, filing a contempt of court case against local officials for not approving their request for a demonstration.