January 25, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 24, 1426

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LAHORE, Jan 24: Women, children and men will run separately after intervals in Lahore Marathon. This was unanimously decided after a delegation of the MMA led by JI Naib Amir Liaquat Baloch called on Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi here on Tuesday. During the meeting it was unanimously decided that the first race would be held between special persons. After half an hour, the second race for women and children would start and after an interval men would run.

The chief minister informed the delegation about the objectives of the marathon and said that this international event was aimed at promoting positive and healthy activities among citizens.

The delegation included MNA Farid Piracha, MPA Ehsanullah Waqas and JUP Information Secretary Pir Ejaz Hashmi.

Problems regarding the Lahore Ring Road project were also discussed in the meeting and the chief minister assured that convenience of citizens and maximum protection to their property would be ensured in the execution of this project.

Earlier, the Jamaat-i-Islami women wing has announced a demonstration against the holding of mixed marathon.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, wing’s office-bearers Atia Rahat, Kulsoom Ranjha, Shehnaz Fatima and district councillor Sajida Zuberi said the demonstration would be held on Thursday (tomorrow) outside the Lahore Press Club. MNA Samia Raheel Qazi and others will lead the protesters.

To avoid any direct clash with the mixed race participants being held on Jan 29, the wing has not planned any programme on that day.

Demanding an end to, what they said, forced registration of college and school girls, they alleged the mixed marathon was aimed at promoting immorality in society.

If the government was sincere in promoting healthy activities among women then it should build separate stadiums and gymnasiums for womenfolk, they said.

Women delegations, they said, had called on the Punjab governor, the chief minister and the district nazim to argue against the event, “but they seem helpless before the authorities that want to promote western culture.”