0
BAHAWALPUR, April 7: A mini-marathon without women’s participation will be organized here on Saturday (tomorrow). The mini-marathon will be held in four phases which have been categorized in four sections — for professionals and amateurs, general public, special children and children up to 13 years of age. The first race of professionals will be held at 3pm followed by races of other categories. Starting from the local stadium, the participants will complete the route leading to Farid Gate, Seraiki Chowk, Welcome Chowk, Gulberg Road and back to the starting point.
The registration for participants will continue up to 5pm on the race day. The number of participants in the general public category will be 150 while the children will be 200 in numbers.
DCO Imran Ahmed, who took the chair in the meeting to finalize the arrangements, said that women’s participation was never included in the original programme of the mini-marathon.
DENIES: Punjab PPP president Qasim Zia has denied the possibility of any deal with any political coalition or the army general.
Speaking at his party’s convention here late on Wednesday night, he termed the ‘deal campaign’ a part of disinformation drive being carried out by anti-party elements.
He vowed that the PPP would only enter into a deal with its countrymen to pave way for reaching the corridors of power. He said none of the party deserter would be allowed to rejoin the party folds.
Mr Zia lauded Asif Ali Zardari’s courage, who served eight years in jail but refused any deal with the rulers.
The PPP leader asked his party workers to reach Lahore in maximum number to accord a warm welcome to Asif Zardari on April 16.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab information secretary Naveed Chaudhry said the PPP would once again bring a revolution in the country after coming into power.
Criticizing government’s policies on Wana, Dera Bugti and South Waziristan, he said the law and order situation in south Punjab was also alarming. He also condemned President Musharraf’s concept of enlightenment and moderation.
The convention was also addressed by division coordinator and MNA Mumtaz Ahmed Matyana, former senator Zaka Ashraf, district president Riaz Dahar, district media coordinator Salim Bhatti and others.
