The organisers of Minority Rights March have been granted permission again to hold a demonstration at Karachi’s Frere Hall on Sunday against issues faced by minorities in society after the city government earlier rescinded its approval.
Minority Rights March was held for the first time at Frere Hall on August 11 last year where hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered on the occasion of National Minority Day to campaign against issues faced by minorities in society.
The organisers of the march had called a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday to announce that they would be coming out again at the same place on Sunday. However, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation had on Tuesday cancelled its earlier permission to use the venue for the event citing “unavoidable security threats” in the city.
Today, Advocate Luke Victor told Dawn.com that permission was granted for the event after a meeting with Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Friday. He said the event would be held at 3pm at Frere Hall.
Victor said the August 6 notification was withdrawn and the permission was granted.
South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza similarly told Dawn.com: “We have allowed them and issued the security plan.”
A letter from his office to the Karachi commissioner a day ago said: “This office has no objection if the permission is granted to the organisers of Minority March as per rule and policy. This office will issue a comprehensive security order to ensure foolproof security for the event to avoid any untoward incident.”
