The Punjab government and the Punjab University (PU) administration are hesitating to allow Islami Jamait-e-Taliba (IJT) activists to hold its three-day congregation at the varsity, as both the parties are not willing to take the responsibility of a possible mishap owing to security lapse at the varsity, Pakistan Today learnt on Sunday.
Sources said that committee set up by the Punjab chief minister to look into the matter had not given its decision while PU Vice Chancellor Professor Mujahid Kamran had also denied to allow IJT to hold the congregation on his own at the varsity, referring the matter to the Punjab government. According to sources, committee comprises Punjab IG, Lahore commissioner, additional home secretary, PU VC and a PML-N MNA.
On the other hand, IJT is committed to hold their congregation at the varsity and is making arrangements, while IJT Lahore Nazim has said that around 60,000 people would participate in the event. The IJT activists have announced to hold a three-day congregation titled “Be a hope and build nation” from 15 to 17 October. IJT activists have also started an advertisement campaign to invite the youth at the event. According to IJT, in the current global political situation and crucial times inside the country, it is the youth and the students who could play a constructive role for the nation.
According to the IJT activists, Punjab CM showed willingness over their congregation and some JI high-ups also held a meeting with the CM in this regard and invited him at the event.
According to sources, the committee had not officially decided on the matter and this was the reason why PU security officials, a couple of days ago, clashed with the IJT activists, stopping them from constructing washrooms at PU hostel grounds. According to Punjab Police high-ups, the PU VC had denied to allow the IJT activists to hold the gathering. They said agencies’ officials, who dealt with the security, had also submitted their reports, expressing security concerns. They said the congregation had been scheduled to be held at hostel grounds, which was an open area and could be easily targeted.
A Punjab Police high-up said that according a report, some student unions including Imamia Students Organization (ISO) and Insaf Students Federation (ISF) at the varsity, were not at good terms with IJT. He said a committee meeting was expected this week and IJT activists could be allowed to hold the fair, as JI officials had good terms with the Punjab CM.
IJT Lahore Nazim Akhzir Nazir said that 500 IJT workers would perform security duty at the event with the policemen. He said that security was never an issue and the event would be managed in an exemplary manner.
It was observed that students were enthusiastic about the IJT congregation as according to them it was the biggest ever student session in the history of PU and its purpose was to lead students towards constructive activities.
According to a PU teacher, IJT was experienced enough to organise book fairs. He said that IJT had cooperated with the PU administration in the past and PU VC should allow IJT to hold its congregation, as it was not for political motives but for a constructive cause.
IJT has claimed that the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and other internationally renowned people including Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Imam-e-Kabah would be present at the occasion. According to the IJT plan, about 500 washrooms and a 50-bed hospital will be made in the campus. The congregation will include educational session, software festival, national and international sessions. IJT Nazim Zubair Safder last week while holding a press conference also claimed the participation of 0.1 million students and said that 29 committees with 1,000 members were working for the success of the event.
PU VC Advisor Colonel (r) Ikram Ullah also confirmed that PU administration had not received the permission letter by the committee set up by the CM and said that they would follow the instructions of the committee.
