'Be careful with the slogans, words put out' Mahira Khan says ahead of Aurat March 2020

Mahira Khan on Wednesday showed support for the upcoming Aurat March 2020 and advised the participants to come out for the causes women are fighting instead of displaying placards "that are just there to instigate".

"We don't march for ourselves. We march for those who cannot march for themselves," she reminded supporters in a note on Twitter.

The Superstar actress wrote: "As a privileged woman I march for those who are not in my position, who don't have the basic rights that I have enjoyed since I was born."

"Can we then please be careful with the slogans and words we put out? Can we hold placards of the causes we are fighting for, the issues we want resolved, the basic rights and needs of those who suffer because they are either unaware of their rights or they are not given to them.

"Can we hold banners of laws we would like to be put into place and those that have harmed women over the years? Don't we want as many people as possible to understand why we march?" she asked.

Deferring to the experience of the organisers, however, the actress said she was merely writing "out of pure observation" and the organisers who have been working to champion the cause of women's rights "have a better idea".

The march, as in past years, has been the subject of much controversy this year as well.

'Vile and filthy'

Television shows, social media influencers, and rights activists all seem to have opinions on the event.

Last night, writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar — who was both ridiculed and praised for his hit TV series — appeared on a talk show alongside activist Marvi Sirmed to share his thoughts on Aurat March 2020.

Tempers, however, flared up soon after the two got into an argument about one of the slogans — mera jism, meri marzi, or my body, my choice— with Qamar saying it was "vile and filthy" and that he felt "hurt" that the LHC threw out a petition seeking to ban it.

As he spoke, Sirmed interrupted to offer an explanation as to why the line of thought Qamar was diving into was problematic. However, he lost his patience and hurled some highly inappropriate insults at Sirmed, adding to a clash between progressives and conservatives over the perceived objectives of the Aurat March 2020.

LHC dismisses petition

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday had wrapped up a petition filed by Advocate Azhar Siddique against Aurat March 2020 and issued orders for strict security to be provided to the participants and organisers.

During the hearing, LHC Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh also directed the district administration to make a decision on Aurat March organisers' application to hold the event and advised the rally leaders to respect the constitutional and legal limits.

Relevant officials should meet the organisers and assist them, Justice Sheikh noted, adding that strict security should be arranged at the entry and exit points.