ISLAMABAD - Distancing itself from the main opposition party PML-N, a JUI-F delegation led by Maulana Attaur Rehman met with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and assured him of all-out support to strengthen democracy.The visiting JUI-F team praised PM’s “policy of decency in politics” and discussed with him various matters including development projects in the constituencies of JUI-F parliamentarians. Political analysts attached a special significance to the meeting, especially against the backdrop of tacit threat from MQM chief Altaf Hussain that if his party abandoned the coalition, the government would fall.Attaur Rehman appreciated PM Gilani for “bringing an end to the politics of victimisation during his tenure as the longest serving prime minister”.About the PML-N’s protest movement, Attaur Rehman said: “It (PML-N) wants to erase the impression of friendly opposition but the measures it has adopted are neither good for it nor for democracy.”He asked the Prime Minister to order the authorities concerned to set up an oil refinery in Karak for the crude oil being extracted there instead of transporting the same to Karachi. The opening of refinery in Karak will be cost-effective and provide jobs to the locals, he added. MNA Asiya Nisar also lauded PM Gilani for guarding the interests of women and minorities, saying: “The Prime Minister has proved his assertion that women and minorities are his constituency.”The members of the delegation said PM Gilani has set a new trend of politics in the country under democratic norms.The Prime Minister thanked the visiting delegates for their support in the House during the passage of historic amendments, saying these amendments would help strengthen the democratic institutions in the country.About the Pakistan-US ties, the Prime Minister said the new terms of engagements will be set on the basis of mutual respect.The visiting team appreciated the government’s stance on Pakistan-US ties reset. About the federal budget, PM Gilani said sufficient funds had been allocated for the Chashma Right Bank Canal project in the budget. He appreciated PPP lawmakers and its allies for upholding democratic norms during the budget speech in the Punjab Assembly.JUI-F delegates included Maulana M Qasim, Mufti Ajmal Khan, Laiq Muhammad Khan, Abdul Malik Wazir, Maulvi Agha Muhammad and Haji Rozuddin.