LAHORE, Jan 18: The Anti-War Committee, a representative body of 26 leftwing political parties and NGOs, took out a procession here on Saturday to protest against impending US attack on Iraq.

Led by National Workers Party president Abid Hasan Minto, HRCP former chief Asma Jehangir, ANP president Ehsan Wyne, Labour Party general secretary Farooq Tariq, poet Munir Niazi, TV artiste and columnist Faryal Gauhar, the protesters were to march from Faletti’s Hotel up to the US Consulate close to the Governor’s House. But police stopped them on Egerton Road outside the Holiday Inn hotel.

The protesters who burnt a US flag at the chowk were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against US President Bush, UK Prime Minister Blair and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon.

Traffic remained suspended for almost half an hour on the road as the protesters held a meeting at the chowk.

Led by committee’s general secretary Farrukh Sohail Goindi, a group of protesters managed to sneak to the consulate and present a memorandum to the consulate officials when their fellows clashed with each other over whether or not to defy the police blockade.

Mr Wyne held negotiations with DSP Tahir Alam to seek permission for the protesters to march up to the LDA building and then return to the Faletti’s Hotel.

The DSP gave in, though reluctantly, on the assurance that the protesters would not advance further.

The police officer told Mr Wyne that the authorities had directed him that the protesters should not be allowed even to come out of the hotel. But he said he went against the directions on the request of Mr Minto.

Activists of various NGOs also distributed pamphlets and handbills to create awareness among the general public against the ill-effects of war.