GAZIPUR: BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has reportedly assured to withdraw the ongoing indefinite nationwide road-train-waterway blockade imposed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance at any moment due to Biswa Ijtema, the second largest Muslim congregation after Hajj.

Millions of devotees from home and abroad are expected to join the preparatory event of Ijtema on the bank of river Turag in Tongi this year.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gazipur Mohammad Harunur Rashid confirmed the matter to banglanews on Wednesday.

He said that a press conference on preparation of Muslim congregation will be held at Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Stadium in Tongi on Thursday morning.

BNP-led 20-party alliance may withdraw their blockade before the press conference, the police official hoped.

Harunur Rashid said that BNP chief Khaleda Zia has assured the Ijtema organizers regarding the withdrawal of the ongoing blockade for the sake of pilgrims.

On the other hand, BNP sources said that the party chief Khaleda Zia has considered the issue with a great importance and their decision, in this regard, will be disclosed shortly.

The organizers said that about 98 percent preparation of the Ijtema has already been done. Devotees are coming from all corners of the country and the world at the Ijtema venue where the Islamic scholars will deliver sermons on fundamental issues of Islam, they added.

However, the first phase of Bishwa Ijtema, to be organized by Tablighi Jamaat, is scheduled to begin on January 9 and continue till January 11.

The second phase of Ijtema will begin on January 16 and continue till January 18.

BDST: 1928 HRS, JAN 07, 2015