PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq here on Thursday set 24 hours deadline to the government to expel the ambassador of Myanmar otherwise his party workers would storm “red zone” in Islamabad.

“If the government does not expel Myanmar’s ambassador till Friday, our workers will cross the red zone,” a statement quoted Senator Sirajul Haq as saying while addressing a function of women.

He said that JI had planned to stage protest rally outside Myanmar embassy after Friday prayers to show solidarity with Rohingya Muslims, who were fleeing their country. He said that Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal requested him not to cross the red zone.

The JI chief alleged that Myanmar government started genocide of Muslims and except the Turkish president, leaders of other Islamic countries remained silent spectators over atrocities in Myanmar. He said that JI would not cross red zone if government expelled the ambassador on Friday.

Like JI, other religious parties including Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl have also planned to hold protest rallies on Friday against the killing of Rohingya Muslims.

On this occasion, Sirajul Haq directed youth wing of his party to register one million women as party members across the country.

He said that without participation and support of women, corruption-free and prosperous Pakistan was not possible. He said that 800,000 male youths had already been registered. “Now the party would focus on women,” he added.

The JI chief said that intra-party elections were held for youth after completion of registration process. He said that women would be given their due rights and representation in the society. He said that women could play vital role in creation of Islamic society.

“Like Turkey, women in Pakistan can play active role in politics. If men have separate banks and playgrounds then why not for women,” he questioned.

The JI youth girls wing had organized Azadi Festival at Nishter Hall. A large numbers of women and girls participated in different events like story writing, paintings, drawing and other activities.

Mr Siraj said that his party would protect all rights of women to live their life with honour and dignity. He said that women banks would be established according to the ratio of population to give them interest-free loans. He promised establishment of separate parks and playgrounds for women across the country if his party came to power.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2017