LAHORE, Oct 17: The Islami Jamiat Tulaba on Monday staged a massive “Umeed-i-Pakistan Million March” from the Punjab University New Campus to Ichhra and vowed to defend Pakistan's Islamic identity and continue peaceful struggle to replace the prevailing system of governance for transformation of the country into a modern welfare Islamic state.

The rally participants were carrying Jamiat's and Pakistani flags and chanted slogans “Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan” and “Go America Go”. The rally staged by a large number of students snarled up traffic on Ferozepur Road, Canal Road, Jail Road and other thoroughfares in the city.

The rally was the scheduled part of IJT's three-day All-Pakistan General Congregation, which was participated in by students from across Pakistan. The participants of the rally were showered with rose petals by different local organisations of citizens, traders and labourers en route to Ichhra.

Speaking to the rally participants from a stage setup on Ferozepur Road, Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hassan said the students' mass gathering was a good omen for Pakistan and added that the days were not far away when these students would rid the country of ruling elite that was depriving people of their rights for long.

The JI amir urged the IJT workers to reach out each and every student in the country and present them Islam as the only solution to problems. He asked the IJT members to remain peaceful despite provocative actions and steps initiated against them.

JI secretary-general Liaquat Baloch said this massive rally would serve as a start of a peaceful revolution to make Pakistan a modern Islamic state, where citizens could live without any fear and prejudice.

Mr Baloch said the corrupt politicians and martial law administrators had ruined the development of Pakistan and added that their days were numbered and the system of oppression would be uprooted by masses, especially students.

“This march of students, who are from each and every corner of Pakistan, shows the aspirations for change in the country,” he said.

IJT Nazim-i-Aala Syed Abdur Rasheed said the IJT workers were representing oppressed people of Pakistan as they all belonged to poor segments of society and were determined not to let anybody fool them any longer. He said the anti-Pakistan elements should mend their ways or be ready to face the wrath of masses.

Rasheed demanded that the government implement a uniform educational system, curricula and medium of education to enable each and every Pakistani student to get quality education. JI Naib Amir Sirajul Haq, IJT PU Nazim Zubair Safdar and others also spoke on the occasion.