‘New system meant to empower people’

LAHORE: “The purpose of introducing a new local bodies system in Punjab is to empower people at a grass roots level,” said Senior Provincial Minister for Local Government and Community Development (LGCD) Abdul Aleem Khan on Saturday.



He expressed these views while chairing a follow up meeting. The incumbent government is committed to strengthening the local bodies system. People’s representatives will be given financial and administrative powers so that they can fulfil expectations as soon as possible, he said.

It has been made crystal clear in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s manifesto that developments funds will not be given to any assembly member, he stressed.



The minister also directed officials to prepare recommendations in order to install a strict monitoring system for public representatives and their development projects. The budget for development projects, the jurisdiction of union councils and the direct election of the mayor/ district head are core issues which will be resolved in the new system , he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2018.