PESHAWAR, Nov 19: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said that the next local bodies elections if held on the party basis will strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the country.

Talking to journalists at the Frontier House on Friday, the chief minister said people had ideological affiliation with political parties. They would have a wider democratic option to whom they should elect if the local bodies elections were held on the party basis, he stressed.

He said the country was passing through a difficult phase of its history that warranted unity not only in the ranks of political forces but also among the masses. Mr Durrani said political parties were free to hold public gatherings and promised that his government would ensure a secure environment for such gathering.

He said heavy responsibility devolved upon the press at this important juncture of the country's history and added that his government would welcome constructive criticism.

The chief minister asked the elected representatives to keep liaison with people for getting first-hand information about their problems and subsequent resolution of those issues. -APP