ISLAMABAD, April 11: The combined opposition in the National Assembly is expected to change its strategy of protest against the Legal Framework Order (LFO) in the NA session starting from April 15, informed sources told Dawn.

Earlier, in the last session, the opposition had relaxed the method of its protest during the debate on Iraq by confining itself to displaying cards on their chests inscribed with slogans “No to LFO” and “LFO not accepted” but had generally allowed the proceedings to go on smoothly.

It had, however, declared then that no other normal business would be allowed until an assurance from the treasury benches came that the disputed piece of legislation would be put before the parliament for scrutiny and assent.

Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal deputy secretary-general Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, when asked about opposition’s strategy, said: “The issue of Iraq is still there for debate.”

He said the earlier protest of combined opposition was severe because of its anger against delayed delivery of altered copies of the constitution.

To a question about the impending decision on the leader of opposition in the National Assembly, Hafiz Hussain said: “It largely depends on the Speaker as to whom he appoints on the basis of numerical strength of a party.”

The government side is also extremely concerned with the endangered smooth sailing for the joint session which it intends to convene on April 21 and is expected to be addressed by President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the PML-Q and chief government negotiator, has held a number of meetings with the opposition, particularly the MMA leaders in last few days. In his last meeting with Hafiz Hussain on Thursday, the PML-Q leader requested for reaching an understanding on allowing the joint session run smoothly.

The MMA leader told Dawn that the PML-Q leader wanted a “ceasefire” between the MMA and the ruling coalition by stopping issuing statements on the LFO till an agreement was reached between the two sides.

When asked about the resumption of talks on the LFO and related issues, he said the MMA top leadership would take a decision to this when it meets on April 12.

“The method of protest may change but the stand on the LFO will not change,” he asserted.

Regarding the impression that the MMA was not taking along other parties in its talks on the LFO with the government, he said it was incorrect as the negotiating team under the leadership of Maulana Fazlur Rahman regularly briefed other parliamentary groups on the progress of talks.

Hafiz Hussain said: “We will also take the ARD and other smaller parties in the NA into confidence before we go into the forthcoming session of the assembly.”