18 December 2004	Saturday	05 Ziqa'ad 1425

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RAWALPINDI, Dec 17: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Friday signed a code of conduct with the district government to secure permission for its upcoming public gathering at Liaquat Bagh on Sunday.

The code of conduct was signed by Naib Amir Jamaat-i-Islami Rawalpindi Maulana Abdul Jalil and MNA Hanif Abbasi from the MMA side and District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani on behalf of the administration. The code of conduct was then ratified by the secretary home department.

The MMA is holding a series of rallies against President Gen Pervez Musharraf's decision to remain in uniform, thereby holding the office of both president and the chief of army staff.

An official of the district government, while giving details of the code of conduct, said the MMA leaders had promised not to deliver provocative speeches against "important institutions" of the country or raise slogans against them.

"The MMA leaders promised not to defame any important personality or institution," he said. This condition is apparently aimed at safeguarding the army and the presidency.

The MMA workers by virtue of this code of conduct would be bound not to burn the effigy of anyone during the public gathering. Similarly, the participants of the gathering would not burn the flag of any country.

Workers of religious parties have been known for burning the flags of the US, India and Israel and the effigies of their leaders to vent their frustration over these countries' policies and attitude towards Muslims and their interests.

The MMA has agreed to stop their workers from bringing out any procession or rally from the site of the public gathering. "We have been assured that workers would disperse peacefully after the rally," the official said. There would be no wall chalking in connection with the gathering, the code says.

ARRANGEMENTS FINALIZED: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) is giving final touches to preparations for its December 19 Liaquat Bagh rally aimed at pressuring President Gen Pervez Musharraf to fulfil his promise regarding the uniform issue.