PESHAWAR, Oct 30: Representatives of mainstream political parties at a seminar on Wednesday urged the government to speed up peace efforts, strengthen democratic institutions and focus on development across the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The seminar on `democracy, dialogue and development` was arranged by Liberal Forum Pakistan (LFP) here at Peshawar Press Club.

Senior journalists Shamim Shahid played as moderator, while speakers include Israrullah Khan of Jamaat-iIslami,Yasmeen Zia of Awami National Party, Abdul Jalil Jan of Jamiat Ulemai-Islam-Fazl and Malik Riaz of Pakistan People`s Party.

The JI leader said dictators had always tried to sabotage democratic process and served their own interests and therefore, it was the duty of political parities to join hands for strengthening democratic institutions.

He said the local government system usually played a basic role in strengthening of the democratic institutions but the political parties rarely agreed to hold the local body elections, while on the other hand dictators held the elections in different tenures and served their own interests.

Mr Israrullah said in the democratic system, the people could easily get the liberty to raise voice for their problem.He said there was need of meaningful democracy and continuation of fair electoral process where the people of all segments could poll votes even against feudal lords.

The JI leader urged the government to start negotiations with the stakeholders for restoration of sustainable peace and restore all the incentives of the process.

He said all parties` conference had given mandate to the government to hold dialogue with relevant stakeholders, restore peace and save democracy in the country and improve the local economy by reviving the industrial units, overcoming the load shedding and restoration of sustainable peace.

ANP leader Yasmeen Zia said dictators had disfigured the Constitution during different eras however they had always tried to prove that politicians could not solve the problems of the country.

She said the democratically elected governments were not given chances to complete constitutional tenure and thus, complicating problems.

Ms Yasmeen stressed the need to create awareness among the people so that everyone play role for strengthening of the democratic system.

She asked for unity among the political forcers.

JUI-F leader Abdul Jalil Jan said pol-iticians should not support dictators in any form and get together to strengthen democracy and restore peace otherwise development was impossible in the country.

He said the country was passing through worst kind of crisis and politicians should avoid scoring political points.

About the May 11 elections, Mr Jan said the Election Commission had failed to hold fair, free and impartial elections but even then the political parties had to accept the results instead of endangering democracy through protest movements.

He asked the government expedite its efforts for restoration of peace by holding meaningful negotiations to bring an end to the menace of terrorism.

The JUI-F leader said media should avoid disgracing politicians and help strengthen democracy against dictators.

PPP`s Malik Riaz asked the government to restore peace, hold local body elections and stop killings.

He said the government and the people should join hands to overcome problems and carry out developmental work in order to bring the backward areas on a par with developed ones.

The PPP leader also asked for proper legislation to address issues of national interests.