PESHAWAR, March 11: The Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan has decided to launch its election campaign from Peshawar by holding a public meeting at Motorway Chowk on March 23.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Jamaat-i-Islami provincial general secretary Shabir Ahmed Khan demanded of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to direct Nadra to unblock the national identity cards of tribal people otherwise thousands of people would be unable to cast their votes. Flanked by JI provincial information secretary Advocate Israrullah Khan and district chief Advocate Bahrullah Khan, he said that workers of the party from across the province and Fata would participate in the public meeting on March 23. JI central chief Syed Munawar Hassan will address the public meeting.

Mr Khan alleged that Benazir Income Support Programme was used for political gains. He termed it pre-polls rigging. He said that his party had nominated candidates for 90 per cent constituencies.

The JI leader said that names of their party’s candidates would be announced within a couple of days. He claimed that his party had gained popularity among the people and would clinch maximum seats in the next general elections.

“Most of the people in Fata are our supporters but Nadra has blocked their national identity cards on the basis of doubt. If the issue is not resolved it, will create serious problems as thousands of the citizens will not be able to poll their votes,” he said.—Bureau Report