LAHORE, March 24: PML-QA leader Shujaat Husain has demanded that after the introduction of the joint electorate system the government should reserve seats for minorities in parliament and provincial assemblies.

In a press statement on Sunday, he said such a step was necessary as after the joint electorate system the minorities would not get as much representation in legislatures as they used to get under the system of separate electorates.

He believed that no democrat would oppose his proposal as it had been made in the supreme national interest.

Meanwhile, PML-QA president Mian Azhar said his party was cooperating with the government to replace the country on track of democracy.

In a statement, he alleged that some people ostensibly working for the restoration of democracy wanted to wriggle out of the electoral process by creating a situation of chaos and confrontation. But, he said, his party would ensure the establishment of a representative democratic government.

Without naming anyone, Mian Azhar said those who had fled the country at a difficult juncture could not be expected to do anything for the people. Similarly, he said, the ones having properties and assets abroad could never be sincere with the electorate.

Mian Azhar urged the district governments to come up to the expectations of the people.

He said during his meeting with President Musharraf he had apprised the latter of all problems facing the country.

Mian Azhar, accompanied by other leaders of the party, is scheduled to undertake a visit to the NWFP from Tuesday in connection with his mass contact programme.

He will also take NWFP leaders into confidence on various national issues. Party’s election strategy is also expected to be made public during the visit.