LAHORE, Feb 19: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has demanded that the Muttahida Majlis-Amal (MMA) should tender a public apology before offering cooperation in the remove-Musharraf movement.

Deputy information secretary Munir Ahmad Khan told reporters here on Thursday that the ARD would take up the MMA's offer at its summit conference only if the religious alliance would seek an apology from the masses for its past mistake of helping Gen Musharraf strengthen its rule through the 17th Amendment.

MMA secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rahman had hinted at a possible cooperation between the two alliances in launching an anti-government drive and other issues in his press conference on Wednesday.

Mr Khan said as ARD constituents were furious at a 'betrayal' by the MMA on the LFO issue, they would seek certain guarantees from the latter for joining the remove-Musharraf movement.

On an allegation that the ARD had views common with Gen Musharraf and the US on certain issues, he said the alliance could not change its policies in case any party or state also upheld them. But MMA leaders, he alleged, changed its policies according to their personal and party interests.

PROTEST CAMP: The ARD organized a protest camp at Chungi Amar Sadhu on the seventh day of its protest against Gen Musharraf's nuclear and Kashmir policies.