LAHORE: The first phase of a three-day Tableeghi Ijtima began at Raiwind amid tight security here on Thursday. Thousands of people reached there from across the country and abroad.

Leading religious scholars from different parts of the world will also arrive here and deliver sermons.

Police officials said a good number of security personnel had been deployed at the venue to ensure security of participants of the congregation. Barriers have been placed around sensitive areas and CCTV cameras installed at specific points.

A traffic police official said preparations had been finalized to ensure smooth flow of vehicular activities on the route.

Parking stands and a control room had also been established to facilitate the participants, he added.

Special trains: Six special trains will be operated to facilitate participants in the second phase of the Raiwind congregation starting on Nov 13.

One special train will be operated from Quetta and two from Karachi on Nov 12, while three trains will take participants from Raiwind on Nov 16 to their originating cities, says an announcement of the Railways on Thursday.

The first special train will leave Quetta at 11am to reach Raiwind at 11:15am the next day, the second train will leave Karachi City at 8am to reach Raiwind at 7:30am the next day, while the third train will leave Karachi City at 9am to reach Raiwind at 9am the next day.

At the conclusion of the congregation on Nov 16, the first special train will leave Raiwind at 2:35pm for Quetta, the second at 3:30pm for Karachi City and the third at 4:30pm for Karachi.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2014