JI leader hopes record number of people to attend rally

PESHAWAR: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Central, president Abdul Wasi has said that a record number of people from KP and other parts of the country are expected to attend the party’s congregation in Lahore for which full preparations are underway.

“A record number of people from KP and other parts of the country are expected to attend the three-day event scheduled to be held in Lahore on November 21, 22 and 23,” he told reporters here.

Talking to media persons here, the JI leader said that in order to facilitate participation from Peshawar’s NA-32 constituency, a special train would depart from City Railway Station at 7 pm on November 20.

Convoys of buses, coasters, vans and private vehicles from other districts and constituencies of the province will leave for Lahore on November 20 and 21, led by district and local party leaders, he said.

Accompanied by provincial General Secretary and Sabir Hussain Awan, provincial deputy chief Mian Sohaibuddin Kakakhel, Ahmed Furqan Khalil, Noorul Wahid Jadoon and Tariq Mateen, Abdul Wasi said that arrangements were being made to host hundred thousands of participants. large-scale preparations for meals, accommodation and sanitation are underway, he said. He added that the non-functional washrooms of the Iqbal Park are also being restored besides arranging 1900 makeshift washrooms for use during the event.

He termed the congregation as a starting point for changing the existing system and said that the event’s multi-million-rupee budget is being met entirely through Jamaat-e-Islami’s internal donation network. Security arrangements within the congregation will be managed by the party’s own volunteer force, he added.

The JI leader further stated that delegations of 130 Islamic organizations from across the world have confirmed participation. Delegates from Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Iran, Turkey and representatives of Islamic movements in Europe and other countries, will attend the gathering.

He said extraordinary enthusiasm is visible throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where local units are actively preparing for the event. “Given the overwhelming public response, the central leadership has expanded the venue to include areas surrounding the historic Badshahi Mosque and adjacent parks,” he added.Special sessions for women and international delegates would also be arranged during the ijtima, he maintained.