24 February 2004	Tuesday	03 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: National Assembly deputy speaker Sardar Mohammad Yaqub has said political power has been restored to the people after establishment of the parliament, provincial assemblies and local bodies at the grassroots level.

He was talking to Klaus Werner Joans, member German parliament, who called on him on Monday, says a handout. Sardar Yaqub briefed the visitor about the structural reforms at federal, provincial and local level, which, he said, had brought real and genuine democracy in the country.

The deputy speaker spoke very highly of German technical and other assistance in various fields. He mentioned the cooperation between the two parliaments which, he said, had been very useful for both.

Mr Joans said both the parliaments had common ideas and goals on social and economic development of their people through spread of education and strengthening of cultures.

They agreed that the exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two countries would continue and that the members of Pak-German Friendship Groups in both the parliaments were eager to play their role in expansion of bilateral ties.