04 October 2004	Monday	18 Shaban 1425

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LAHORE, Oct 3: The PML-N is yet indecisive over extending cooperation to the MMA in the latter's threatened campaign against Gen Musharraf if he does not take off his uniform by Dec 31.

Khwaja Saad Rafiq, provincial general secretary and a member of the three-man panel formed by party's exiled high command to see prospects of cooperation with the religious alliance, told reporters here on Sunday that they had good wishes and pray for the MMA's plan.

Asked if it meant that the PML-N would not extend any practical support to the alliance, he said he could not say so before central executive committee's decision on it. However, he said the panel had sent its recommendations to the exiled leaders. He declined to give details.

The Khwaja "expects" that his party may join hands with the MMA if the latter comes to the single point agenda "go Musharraf go". He predicted forming of a combined opposition in the first three months of next calendar year and then a joint struggle against the army ruler would be launched.

This gives boost to the speculation, say political observers, that the ARD, of which the PML-N is also a constituent, wants Gen Musharraf to continue wearing two caps even beyond Dec 31 so that "by violating the Constitution" he reaches square one where he was prior to the 17th Amendment.

Earlier, the PML-N leader gave at a press conference schedule of party's activities to observe Oct 12 as a black day. Gen Musharraf had toppled the PML-N government on Oct 12, 1999.

Protest demonstrations would be held at tehsil level on Oct 9-11 throughout the province, Khwaja Saad said, adding protest rallies would be held at district level on Oct 12.

The provincial leadership is also undertaking a whirlwind tour of the Punjab to make effective the protest plan and activate local party organizations, he said. He alleged that the government was planning to table a bill in the National Assembly on Oct 8 to give legal cover to Gen Musharraf's uniform.

He warned of a noisy protest on the floor of the house as well as in the streets by the opposition parties if the government enacted any such law. He also alleged that the government was rigging polls being held for 24 seats of the Northern Areas Council on Oct 12.

A stick and carrot policy was being pursued to break away PML-N nominees for the council, he added. He demanded that the rulers should resign for failing to provide protection of live and property to citizens in Sialkot. He said his party did not attend Jamaat-i-Islami's congregation at Nowshera, NWFP, for the Jamaat had invited Gen Musharraf to the same event.