LAHORE: The Pakistan Awami Tehreek and allied parties discussed future protest strategy in view of the month of Muharram as well as likely local body elections.

All leaders of the allied parties, including PML-Q, Sunni Ittehad Council and Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen, assembled at Dr Tahirul Qadri’s residence to discuss the issues here on Monday.

Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervaiz Elahi told the media after the gathering that there would be no public meetings and processions during Muharram keeping in view sanctity of the month.

They said “Bedari-i-Awam Jashan” would be celebrated in the Islamabad sit-in on Tuesday (today), where dates for future public meetings would be announced by Dr Qadri.

Mr Elahi said that the issue of local body elections also came under discussion in the meeting and a line of action for the purpose would be decided in accordance with the Supreme Court verdicts regarding Election Commission and delimitation process.

He denied having differences with the PAT chief saying “we all are together and united.”

Responding to a question, Ch Shujaat said the cheques the Sharifs were distributing among the flood-affected people were not being honored by banks and the law prescribes non-bailable arrest warrants for the offence of giving someone a “bogus” cheque.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2014