Toon row: MMA calls for protests across Pak

Police arrested hundreds of hardline religious activists to thwart a rally against Prophet Mohammad cartoons in the eastern city of Lahore.

A Muslim leader called for protest rallies across Pakistan on Monday after police arrested hundreds of hardline religious activists to thwart a weekend rally against Prophet Mohammad cartoons in the eastern city of Lahore.

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A coalition of six radical Islamic parties called Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), or United Action Forum, declared on Monday "a protest day" after police prevented Sunday's planned rally in Lahore, alliance lawmaker Liaqat Baluch said.

Women supporters of the coalition will hold an illegal rally in Lahore later on Monday against the publication of the cartoons, deemed blasphemous by Muslims, he said.