DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Aug 6: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Secretary-General Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the MMA believed in strengthening the democratic system and would continue its efforts in this direction.

He was addressing a big public meeting at the Haq Nawaz park here. NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani also addressed the meeting. Maulana Attaur Rehman, brother of Maulana Fazl and MNA from Tank, presented the welcome address.

Maulana Fazl, MNA from Dera Ismail Khan, was addressing his first public meeting in Haq Nawaz park after having been elected as MNA from D.I.Khan.

The MMA, he said, had emerged as an effective political force as a result of the elections. The people had voted for it for the solution of their problems and to guide them, and it would not disappoint them, he added.

As it MMA believed in strengthening the democratic system, he went on to say, it was continuing the process of dialogue with the government.

Maulana Fazl, who is also chief of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, said the main issues under discussion were the uniform of the president, article 58-2b, the National Security Council, the Legal Framework Order, extension of tenure of judges, powers for the prime minister, privatization of educational institutions and supremacy of parliament.

The MMA, Maulana Fazl stressed, did not believe in confrontation but in dialogue and would continue this process. “All controversial issues should be discussed and put before parliament.”

KASHMIR: He further said that the issue of Kashmir was the focal point. About 80,000 Kashmiris had been martyred as a result of freedom struggle against the Indian occupation of their homeland, he pointed out.

Dispelling the impression that Pakistan was interfering in occupied Kashmir, he said it were the Kashmiris who were waging the independence struggle themselves.

INVESTMENT: He suggested that the western world, including the United States should invest in the Muslim countries which had resources but lacked investment. This, he added, would create an atmosphere of goodwill and cooperation. Engaging in trade would also promote goodwill and create friendly atmosphere in the region, he further said.

MNA Attaur Rehman, in his welcome address, spoke of the problems confronting the area and the people of Dera Ismail Khan, and urged for resolving these problems. Allocation of funds were necessary for this purpose, he added.

DURRANI: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, in his address, said the provincial government was doing its best to resolve the problems faced by the people and to provide the basic amenities of life at the doorstep of the common man, and added that a huge amount had been allocated for this purpose.

The chief minister announced the acceptance of the demands presented in the welcome address.—APP