KARACHI, Jan 7: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Friday observed a protest day during which demonstrations were held at more than 500 places, including mosques, as part of its countrywide campaign against President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

In its campaign, the MMA is now demanding that Gen Musharraf resign from both the offices of president and chief of army staff. Its drive is also aimed at defending the country's ideological 'frontiers', defending the blasphemy and Hudood laws, restoration of the religion column in passports, defending the non-secular character of the syllabuses, and ensuring non-interference in seminaries.

MMA activists and supporters were holding banners and placards and raising slogans against a president in military uniform during the demonstrations. The MMA activists and leaders, who made speeches at the rallies, expressed their determination to continue their struggle until the restoration of a true form of democracy, parliamentary sovereignty and constitutional supremacy.

They also criticized Gen Musharraf for "pursuing the US agenda by taking dictation from the White House". The main demonstration was held near Boulton Market, which was addressed by the President of MMA Karachi, Hafiz Muhammad Taqui, deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly, Nasrullah Shaji, Yunus Barai, Shabbir Abu Talib, Maulana Aminuddin Hazarvi among others.

Recalling what President Musharraf's government had given to Pakistan, they said during the general's five-year-rule the country's image had been tarnished and the shape of its constitution mutilated. They pointed out that the general had gone back on his word to relinquish the army post by Dec 31.

The government's policies had resulted in the increase in unemployment rate to 50 per cent and the prices had soared by 45 per cent. They claimed that his rule had given a bad name to the country's identity. They termed their movement as a constitutional and legal one, which could be a long-drawn affair.

Hafiz Muhammad Taqui said Gen Musharraf, by endorsing American policies, had given preference to freedom over sovereignty and by setting aside the UN resolutions he had ignored the sacrifices rendered by Kashmiri people.

Nasrullah Shaji termed the movement as a mass contact drive, which would dispel despondency among the people. He said the MMA would expose the rulers' designs as well as the compromises they made.

Other places where large demonstrations were held included Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Lasbela, Nayab Masjid, Liaquatabad, Masjid-i-Noman, Moosa Lane, Lyari, Khadda Market, Ranchore Lines, PIB Colony and North Nazimabad. Speakers at these rallies pledged that MMA would continue its campaign until its objectives were achieved.