LAHORE, Dec 17: Heads of component parties of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) have scheduled a meeting in Karachi for Jan 1, to discuss measures to step up movement against Gen Musharraf.

The new date has been set after the postponement of a meeting which was to be held in Lahore on Dec 19. A public meeting scheduled for Dec 20, in Sialkot has also been cancelled because of PPP's inability to participate in it.

According to ARD secretary-general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the Karachi meeting would discuss many ideas to mount pressure on Gen Musharraf to quit. On Jan 2, the ARD will hold a public meeting in Sukkur.

ARD media adviser Khwaja Izhar Amritsari says Pakistan Democratic Party president Mansoor Khan is holding consultations with other alliance leaders to ensure that in future no alliance meeting is postponed.