LAHORE, Aug 7: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy will hold its Aug 14 public meeting at the historic Mochi Gate and an information in this regard has been sent to the district government and other relevant agencies.

ARD leaders Jehangir Badr and Khwaja Saad Rafiq told a news conference that their alliance had shifted the venue from Rawalpindi to Lahore to avert any clash with the MMA.

“Religious parties are joining hands with the army, dodging the ARD. We want them to join ranks with us before being outwitted by dictatorial powers”, Saad said.

Mian Asad Muhammad, Abdul Qadir Shaheen and Chaudhry Safdarur Rehman were also present at the news conference.

Badr recalled how the decision to hold a public meeting in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh had been taken and how the ARD and the MMA had separately approached the district government to seek permission to use the venue.

Saad said the ARD’s decision would help all parties celebrate the Independence Day in a befitting manner.

ARD BODY: A committee of the ARD is scheduled to meet here on Friday to take a decision on the applications moved by various parties to join the alliance. The Jamiat Mashaikh Pakistan of Pir Fazle Haq and the JUP-NS lead by Engr Salimullah Khan have expressed their keenness on joining the ARD.