PESHAWAR, Jan 20: Federal Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan has said that the government would take the smaller provinces along in the decision-making process to remove their sense of deprivation.

Talking to newsmen here, the federal minister said, he would visit every province as per the directives of the prime minister to learn for himself of the problems being faced by the federating units vis a vis commerce and trade and other related matters.

His visit to the NWFP, he said, was in the connection. He added that he would hold a detailed meeting with members of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He will also meet the governor, chief minister and other important businessmen.

“It is our intention to strengthen the present government,” he said and added that political dialogue with other parties would continue for achieving national harmony.

The government, he said, had taken decisions in a democratic manner and established good precedence for others to follow.

He referred to the recent changes in the PML-Q leadership to substantiate his view.

The new president of the PML-Q was elected in the general council meeting after Mian Azhar’s resignation, he added.

The ruling party, he said, would remove misunderstandings of the past and run the party like an institution and not by individuals. To a question about the possible rapprochement with the MMA, the minister said, talks with top MMA leadership were continuing.

He said PPP-Patriot group supported the government with the intention of helping the democratic process move forward.