TAXILA, Feb 18: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) MPA from Wah Cantonment Mohammad Waqas Khan on Saturday said the government would have to face dire consequences if it barred people from holding protests on February 19 in the federal capital.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, Mr Khan said the MMA along with other like-minded parties would hold a protest demonstration despite a ban on it by the government.

He said the government wanted to appease its foreign masters by banning rallies and processions.

He said peaceful protests would continue till the present rulers sever diplomatic and trade relations with those countries where blasphemous caricatures were published.

Until the European countries do not apologize and take stern action against the responsible newspapers, ties with them should not be restored, he added.

Responding to a question about February 14 riots in Lahore, the MMA leader said it was the government’s responsibility to ensure protection of life and property of citizens.