15 August 2004	Sunday	28 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

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PESHAWAR, Aug 14: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has denied Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat's allegation that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has links with Al Qaeda.

He was commenting on a statement made by the interior minister, in which he had claimed that most of the suspects arrested by the government had been staying with MMA leaders and supporters, which had unveiled the alliance's links with Al Qaeda.

Talking to newsmen, he said the post of interior minister was a sensitive one, which required a seasoned man in the present uncertain scenario, and Mr Hayat could not do justice with the responsibility.

He asked the federal government to replace Mr Hayat and warned that otherwise the country might face problems.

The MMA, he said, was an alliance of six responsible religious organizations, which believed in peaceful means of preaching and opposed all forms of violence against people, irrespective of their beliefs and nationalities.

He said the MMA government had created a cordial political atmosphere and the opposition was being treated on equal footings.

Speaking at an Independence Day ceremony, organized by the district government at the Jinnah Park on Saturday, he said the NWFP could become self-sufficient in food grains if it was paid its dues outstanding against the centre. "We can irrigate our barren landby constructing small dams. If the federal government pays us Rs40 billion dues and Rs20 billion for the construction of small dams, we will not ask Punjab to give us wheat and rice. The NWFP could be able to send wheat and rice to Afghanistan and other provinces," he said.

He said those parents who opposed the enrolment of their children in primary schools would be punished. "We have launched a number of welfare schemes, including free school education, jail reforms and shelter houses for beggars and women," he said.

He said those prisoners undergoing life terms would be allowed to stay with their wives in prisons after fixed periods.

The MMA government would implement its manifesto and end corruption, he said.

Mr Durrani said the government had decided to establish a medical college and a university for women. He said the government had established a Darul Kifalah for beggars, where they would be trained in various disciplines. A shelter house for poor women would be set up in Hayatabad, he said.