 The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Wednesday held a protest demonstration against removal of the religion column from the Pakistani passport. The demonstration, held under the aegis of the Majlis Tahaffuz Khatm-i-Nabuwat, was addressed by the usual suspects MMA President Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Secretary General Maulana Fazlur Rahman, Liaqat Baloch, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Maulana Allah Wasaya, Dr. Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair, Maulana Hamidul Haq, Qari Gul Rahman, Allama Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer and Allama Jalil Naqvi. The protesters gathered outside Masjid Darul Islam from where they started marching towards the Aabpara Market Chowk. They chanted slogans against Musharraf's policy of "enlightened moderation".
| "Say no to moderation! Extremism in all things!" |
MMA leaders announced holding a protest demonstration outside Parliament during the next stage of their protest. They also announced holding protest sit-ins outside all district passport offices in the country. They denounced the government's decision of removing the religion column from the passport. They said that a sweeping movement would be launched to remove from power the removers of the religion column. The protesters carried placards and banners inscribed with slogans such as "down with Musharraf," "amendment in blasphemy law not acceptable," "reintroduce religion column in passport," "down with American agents," and "we don't accept the Aga Khan Education Board". The MMA chief said the faithful will not spare any sacrifice in the way of protecting their primitive state Hudood laws, Islamic identity of the country and its defence. He said a country-wide strike call will be announced on March 10 after consulting traders and transporters. |