LAHORE, Dec 5: MQM workers held a demonstration outside the local press club on Tuesday to oppose ruling party’s contacts with religious parties and ulema over the Women’s Protection Bill.

The protest was led by party’s Punjab president Iftikhar Randhawa. The participants, not more than two dozen, chanted slogans against the PML.

Similar protests were held by MQM in some other parts of the province.

In Sahiwal, the local administration did not allow the demonstration. Party’s district spokesman Khizer Amin Bhatti said two gatherings had been planned, one each at Tehsil Chowk and press club. He said the administration had deployed police at the two venues and did not allow workers to assemble.

In Gujranwala, state minister for religious affairs Dr Amir Liaqat addressed some three dozen local workers.

Criticising the PML move, he said that railways minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani had no knowledge of Quran and Sunnah but they also attended the PML meeting with ulema.

Meanwhile, Punjab law minister Muhammad Basharat Raja said that MQM workers had tried to take out processions from different areas of the province in violation of the law but they “faced a complete boycott of the people.”

In a press statement, Raja said that MQM leadership was leveling baseless allegations against the Punjab government after its failure to muster political support in the province. He said that no illegal action had been taken against any MQM worker in the province. He further said all political parties, including MQM, were fully aware of the fact that there was a ban on taking out processions and rallies in Punjab under Section-144. However, permission could be granted for public meetings if a request was made by political parties.

Raja further said that government would ensure implementation of the ban on processions and rallies in the interest of protection of life and property of citizens and traders and action would be taken against those who would try to take the law in their hands.

Punjab PML secretary-general and provincial minister Ch Zaheeruddin said that the MQM protest against the meeting of Muslim League leadership with Ulema did not make sense as negotiations and meetings were a part of democratic process. He said that MQM leader Altaf Hussain held meetings with actresses Mussarat Shaheen and Meera as well as other personalities in London recently but the Muslim League had raised no objection.