‘Hijab marches’ compete with Pakistan’s International Women’s Day rallies

Minister says women's march violates Islamic values, prompting counter-events organised by religious groups

More than 1,000 veiled women attended marches to promote Islamic values in cities across Pakistan on International Women's Day in an attempt to counter pro-gender equality rallies.

In Islamabad and Karachi, well-attended hijab marches", organised by religious groups, competed with those participating in aurat - Urdu for women - rallies, which call for an end to systemic discrimination in the country.