LAHORE, Oct 9: The Punjab police is at loggerheads with the Millat-i-Islami Pakistan over a protest call given against the assassination of Maulana Azam Tariq.

Both the sides are stuck to their stand in that the party was set to stage demonstration on Friday, but the city district administration says it will not allow violation of the ban imposed on protests and gatherings of four or more people at a public place.

Ironically, the Lahore police are not prepared to deal with the situation or are unclear about the policy to be adopted in case of violation. “It is not something to be discussed on phone,” District Police Officer Khwaja Khalid Farooq replied when this correspondent contacted him to know what the police would do to get the ban implemented, especially when the religious group had reaffirmed its pledge to protest.

“There are several aspects to be discussed,” the DPO said, but declined to comment on threat of terrorism in retaliation.

Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has banned public gatherings under section 144 CrPC to maintain law and order.

Punjab IGP Masood Shah, in the meantime, has issued a circular to all the regional DIGs and DPOs, directing them to take stern action against violators.

“Warn the prayer leaders and religious party heads to ensure implementation of the ban on misuse of loudspeakers and amplifier.”

The IGP also instructed the police heads to supervise the patrolling and take action against the officials found negligent in their duties. Also take action under the Motor Vehicle Ordinance against owners of the vehicles having tinted glasses, he added.

Millat-i-Islami Pakistan spokesman Mujibur Rahman Inqilabi said his party would hold protests outside all the mosques in the Punjab. “We are going to launch a peaceful campaign to press for the arrest of the Maulana’s killers. It is our right to protest the killings.”

The prayer leaders at all the mosques, he said, would condemn terrorism and demand an immediate arrest of the killers. “We will protest outside mosques in a peaceful manner.”

On the other hand, there were reports that the police might pick up early Friday morning suspects and irritants of the religious and other like-minded groups likely to support the call.

The Punjab police chief said a Lahore police team had been sent to Islamabad to join inquiry into the incident.