ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Thursday said the opposition by consistently refusing to hold meaningful dialogue was not fulfilling its democratic obligations.

He said the opposition had yet to play its democratic role and prove its democratic credentials, and maintained that the government had laid the foundation of a new political culture in the country based on tolerance and accommodation.

Speaking to Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the prime minister said the government’s performance of one year proved beyond any doubt that it was tolerant, accommodative and magnanimous, especially with regard to the matter of political dissent.

The opposition, in sharp contrast, was yet to prove its democratic credentials, he said, adding that by consistently refusing to hold meaningful dialogue, it was not fulfilling its democratic obligations.

In a separate meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Yousaf, the prime minister reiterated his government’s firm commitment to improve the quality of life of the people and to ameliorate the lot of the common man.

He expressed the confidence that the mega projects undertaken by the government would not only accelerate the pace of progress, but would also increase job opportunities manifold. He underlined the need for timely completion of these projects.