LAHORE, Aug 8: An ARD committee on Friday cleared four more tiny parties to join the alliance.

However, a final decision on their induction will be taken by the heads of the ARD components at a meeting which will be fixed after mutual consultations.

The parties which had sought membership of the ARD were: Jamiat Mashaikh Pakistan (of Pir Fazle Haq), JUP (Nifaz-i-Shariat group) of Engr Salimullah Khan, Pakistan Hamwatan Party of Dr Nasir and Markazi Jamiat Mashaikh Pakistan of Makhdoom Ahmad Gilani.

Pir Fazle Haq told reporters that now the Grand Democratic Alliance, of which he was the secretary-general, had ceased to exist.

Meanwhile, the ARD set up 10 committees to make arrangements for the Aug 14 public meeting in Lahore.

ARD leaders Jehangir Badar and Khwaja Saad Rafiq announced the committees at a news conference.

They said the ARD would not extend an invitation to the MMA to participate in the Mochi Gate meeting.