LAHORE, Nov 16: Leaders of the MMA and the ARD reiterated their pledge here on Sunday that they would continue their combined struggle against dictatorship and the LFO and for restoration of real democracy. They also pledged not to compromise on principles in any matter.

Speaking at a public meeting organized by the Lahore MMA in connection with Yaum-i-Badr, ARD chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim urged the need for restoration of the sanctity of institutions.

He said various institutions should function independently shunning all kind of pressure. He said that being the most important institution, the Supreme Court should discharge its responsibility of providing justice to all and sundry.

Criticizing the judiciary for providing legal cover to every army dictator under the doctrine of necessity, he demanded that the judges should pledge that they would not do so in the future.

He said the politicians would side with the army if it discharged its duty of safeguarding borders and oppose it in case it snatched their right to rule.

He condemned the arrest of Allama Sajid Naqvi and demanded his release.

MMA deputy secretary-general Liaqat Baloch said the arrests of PML-N acting president Javed Hashmi and MMA vice-president Sajid Naqvi were aimed at pressurizing the opposition to give up its struggle against the rulers. But, he added, such arrests and bans could not end the movement.

Meanwhile, an MMA spokesman has denied the impression that the membership of Sajid Naqvi’s Islami Tehrik had been suspended after the government banned it on Saturday.