July 1, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 30, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, June 30: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on Monday requested the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal to withdraw its no-confidence motion against the National Assembly deputy speaker “so that parliament does not become helpless.”

Mr Jamali expressed his desire during a meeting with NWFP Chief Minister Akram Durrani and JUI MNA Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani here at the Prime Minister’s House.

The prime minister requested the MMA leaders to convince their leadership to withdraw the no-confidence motion against the deputy speaker.

An official announcement issued after the meeting said the “prime minister requested the opposition leaders to withdraw the no-confidence motion against the National Assembly deputy speaker so that parliament does not become helpless.”

It said the prime minister expressed his desire for the continuation of dialogue with the opposition after the failure of the no-confidence motion against the National Assembly speaker.

The prime minister stressed the need for political dialogue between the government and the opposition for smooth functioning of parliament and strengthening of democracy.

The announcement said that the MMA leaders agreed to discuss the prime minister’s request with their leaders and come back with their reply.

The prime minister expressed the hope that a new culture of tolerance, accommodation, and understanding would be displayed by political forces in the country.

Talking to Dawn after the meeting, Maulana Sherani said issues confronting the provinces of Balochistan and NWFP came under discussion during the meeting.