ISLAMABAD July 4: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Friday launched its countrywide campaign against what it called “a political rather than judicial” verdict given by a Peshawar election tribunal unseating its MNA from Kohat.

Protest demonstrations were held in all the big and small cities, district headquarters and even villages. Friday prayer leaders also expressed resentment over the court decision, reports reaching here said.

Maulana Fazlur Rahman, the alliance’s secretary-general, led a demonstration in the federal capital, and vowed to continue the protest drive till its objectives were met.

When asked by a journalist whether the MMA intended to stay in the coalition government of Balochistan or would make an exit, the Maulana said: “We are waiting for their decisions and will respond with our reaction at the right time.”

It was too hot and humid, making the normal life unbearable. Some one thousand MMA followers braved the sizzling heat to participate in the demo held outside the Lal Masjid.

The idea of taking out a procession was given up.

Maulana Fazlur Rahman disclosed that he had received an emissary from President Musharraf with “a piece of advice” to shun opposition to the LFO, and get a guarantee in return that the MMA’s government in the Frontier province will be allowed to continue functioning, and no more MNA will be disqualified.

He said he had rejected the offer outright, and told the emissary that the MMA could not compromise on its principles.

He alleged that the regime, instead of defending its unconstitutional position itself, “had chosen to use the judiciary against us.”

He alleged that Mufti Ibrar Sultan was disqualified to blackmail the religio-political alliance, but warned that such tactics would turn out to be counter-productive.

He announced that the combined opposition will chalk out a comprehensive programme in its Sunday’s APC “to fight the dictatorial policies.”

Others who spoke on the occasion were Hafiz Hussain Ahmed MNA, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Maulana Abdul Jalil Naqvi, Hanif Abbasi MNA, Maulana Ataur Rahman MNA and Mian Mohammad Aslam MNA.

Ashraf Mumtaz adds from Lahore: Pouring scorn on the policies being pursued by Gen Pervez Musharraf and his alleged compromises on the national interest, MMA vice-president Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Friday vowed to topple the government even at the cost of his life.

He won commitment from the participants in a protest meeting near Masjid-i-Shuhada that they would march on Islamabad on Aug 14 if he gave a call for the purpose.

A heart patient who was not operated upon because of poor health, Qazi Husain Ahmed, 63, told a responsive crowd in a humid weather that although doctors had advised him recently to go slow in his political activities, he was determined to bring down the government, even if it proved to be the last “achievement” of his life.

The MMA is hosting an all-party conference in the city on Sunday to which political parties from all shades of opinion and professional organizations have been invited. The participants would review the situation at length and come up with a future course of action to ‘bridle’ the rulers.

Warning the government against any decision to send troops to Iraq, Qazi said if the armed forces wanted to keep themselves dear to their countrymen, they should desist from any such step. He said, if sent, Pakistani troops would be used for the security of the American troops and as mercenaries against Islamists and Islamic movements.

Those going to Iraq to work for the US interests would have to face social boycott at home, said the Jamaat-i-Islami amir.

Amid anti-government slogans in chorus, Qazi said the nation was opposed to according recognition to Israel at any cost and thus the rulers should not harbour such a possibility in their mind.

Mohammed Riaz adds from Peshawar: The six-party alliance, which is heading a majority government in the NWFP, failed to pull a handsome crowd against the tribunal’s decision in the provincial capital.

Speaking at a meeting here after the Friday prayers at Qissa Khwani Bazaar, JUI’s provincial chief Maulana Amanullah said the disqualification of MNA Mufti Ibrar Sultan was aimed at forcing the alliance to accept the LFO as a part of the Constitution, but the MMA would not budge from its stand.

The JI’s provincial chief Senator Mohammad Ibrahim accused Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao of hatching a conspiracy against the MMA government by planning loadshedding in different parts of the NWFP.

MNAs Hamidul Haq Shujaul Mulk, Shabbir Ahmed Khan, Sabir Hussain Awan and Abdul Akbar Chitrali also attended the meeting. No provincial government minister came at the venue.