LAHORE, Aug 8: The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) has allowed the MQM to hold its public meeting on the Minar-i-Pakistan lawns on Aug 13. The Jamatud Daawa has also been allowed to hold its Independence Day function at the same place on Aug 12. The decision on the application of the MMA for holding its meeting at the same venue on Aug 14 has, however, been deferred.

DCO Mohammad Ijaz gave the permission to the two parties after a meeting with their respective representatives here on Tuesday.

The consent will be, however, conditional under a code of conduct which says the parties will ensure that the armed forces, judiciary or any other political party would not be criticised at the meeting(s). Display of arms at the venue, to be covered by tents from all around, will not be allowed. Neither public transport will be seized nor anyone will be forced to attend the meeting or close his business.

Sources say the permission given to the Daawa is likely to be withdrawn, and it will be asked to postpone its function until Aug 15.

The step, they say, is necessary to give proper time to the MQM to make arrangements for its meeting.

It is learnt that the CDGL was not ready to grant permission for holding a public meeting on the Independence Day to any party. But a senior authority from the federal government intervened to help the MQM hold its first public meeting in Lahore since the party came into being in early 1980s.