Grassroots: ‘Local govt system meant to resolve issues quickly’

Minister says govt working hard to complete development projects

LAHORE: Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said local bodies’ institutions in Punjab would be fully empowered to solve the issues of the masses at their doorsteps.

He expressed these views during a meeting with the chairmen of different district councils on Friday. Municipal Committee Chairman of Akram Khan Chandia also met him and announced joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The minister said in the past, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) made local body institutions toothless only to strengthen the control of one man in Punjab. He said representatives of PML-N were not satisfied with the system and wanted to change it. He said elected representatives of people at the local level would be in a better position to solve their problems quickly. Abdul Aleem said the Punjab chief minister was also working hard to ensure speedy development in the province.

The minister said comprehensive recommendations were being made for the next local bodies system in Punjab and deliberations were in the final stages. He said the PTI government had started taking practical steps in every field, as per the ground realities, and positive results would be visible soon.

The minister also arranged a tour of Lahore for the guests of the interprovincial meeting. He led the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan ministers to Mazar-e-Iqbal where all the participants offered Fateha. Aleem also hosted a dinner in honor of the guests at the Royal Kitchen where they were served with the traditional food.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2019.