Tablighi Ijtema and Musharraf’s visit jam city traffic

Staff Report

LAHORE: The public suffered many traffic jams, especially in areas around Raiwind, because of the end of the International Tablighi Ijtema and President General Pervez Musharraf’s presence in the city on Saturday.

The city administration had blocked many roads from early morning for the security of the President and participants of the congregation. These roadblocks resulted in serious traffic jams.

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, North West Frontier Province CM Muhammad Akram Durani, Sindh CM Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Punjab Governor Lt General (r) Khalid Maqbool, the Opposition leader of the National Assembly Maulana Fazalur Rehman along with prominent cricket players Saeed Anwar, Saqlain Mushtaq and Muhammad Mushtaq participated in the congregation.

Sources said that around 1.3 million people from abroad and within the country participated in three-day congregation. Sources said 30 percent officials on security duties and traffic duties were moved to Lahore from Raiwind because of General Musharraf’s presence in the city. All important personalities were lodged separately in Pandal. All vehicles headed towards Raiwand were stopped two kilometres away from the congregation.

The congregation formed hundreds of groups to preach Islam throughout the world.

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