RAWALPINDI, Dec 18: Like other parts of the country, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Thursday staged a rally against the government and the Legal Framework Order (LFO) on Murree Road.

The rally was held on the call of the central leaders of the religious parties’ alliance after expiry of the deadline set by it for the government to table the proposed constitutional bill in the parliament.

The rally started outside MMA local headquarters, Al- Maudoodi Building, and marched up to the Murree Road. The participants were waving banners and placards, and also chanted slogans against the government and the LFO.

Local MNAs Mian Aslam and Mohammad Hanif Abbasi were leading the demonstration. All the local representatives and supporters of the six religio-political parties participated in the protest.

In the end, the protesters gathered near the MMA local headquarters where the rally leaders delivered speeches. They said the government had compelled them to come out on the roads. They alleged that President Musharraf’s attitude had blocked the smooth-running of the country’s affairs, posing threat to democracy.

The MMA local representatives said their central leaders had been holding talks with the government for the last one year over the LFO issue, and a constitutional package had also been agreed upon. But, they alleged, Gen Musharraf was the main hurdle in bringing it to the assembly for approval. Now a new demand is being forwarded that the MMA should vote for the general to become president.