LAHORE, Dec 24: The MMA observed Friday as a protest day against the government's failure to include the religion column in the new passport, says a press release issued by the alliance.

The alliance leaders said in their statements that even non-Muslims would be able to perform Haj in the absence of the column. They said they would continue their struggle to have the column incorporated in the travel document.

Some activists held a demonstration outside Mansoora and demanded of the interior minister to step down for his failure. Other MMA supporters and leaders held a demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club. It was decided that the next demonstration would be staged outside the Data Darbar, the date for which would be announced subsequently.