04 July 2004	Sunday	15 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

MARDAN, July 3: Former provincial chief of the People's Party Parliamentarians, Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti, has said that people do not believe in observance of black days but they want a solution of their pressing problems.

Speaking at a public meeting in Tauroo village on Saturday, he claimed that most of the development works, including roads, bridges and streets were undertaken and job opportunities created by PPP governments.

He claimed that during the PPP's rule, he had got initiated and completed many development schemes, including the provision of 1,600 jobs and construction of link roads.

He said at that time the law and order situation was better than today. He said lawlessness had spread rapidly during the last five years.

He said people knew that mere observance of black days would not solve their problems.

Criticising the role of political parties, he said none of those had any constitution, manifesto and political or economic programme for the country.

The said the leadership of the parties talked about democracy but opposed introduction of democratic values in their rank and file.

He criticized the provincial Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government and alleged that the alliance had hoodwinked people in the name of religion.

Mr Hoti expressed the hope that people would hold the MMA accountable in the election.

He criticized the performance of the Water and Power Development Authority and said its officials sent wrong bills to the consumers. He asked Wapda officials provide relief to the people.

He said he was opposed to eviction of tenants from agricultural land and claimed that he was the first one to come out with the tenants of Jamoder and Khanpur villages against evictions in Mardan.

He called upon people to struggle for their rights, including jobs, law and order and education.