PM wants immediate holding of LG polls in Punjab

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed the officials concerned to take steps for immediate holding of local government elections in Punjab.

The premier passed these directions in a meeting with federal ministers Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shafqat Mahmood, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema, Moonis Elahi and other senior officials. Punjab Local Bodies Minister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid took part in the meeting through video link.

The Punjab government briefed the prime minister about the new local government system in Punjab.

The premier observed that the local government was the basic structure of democracy and stressed that without a strong system of local bodies democracy was incomplete.

Read PTI kicks off preparations for LG elections

He asked the relevant officials to ensure direct election of local government representatives.

Separately, PM Imran directed the officials concerned to ensure transparency in the completion of the privatisation process of various public entities, including Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and Jinnah Convention Centre (JCC).

In a meeting with Federal Minister for Privatisation Muhammadmian Soomro, the premier was briefed about the current status of privatisation of different bodies.

He was also updated on the results of the ongoing roadshows, being held from September 13-21, aimed at attracting foreign investors for the revival of PSM.

The process to privatise National Power Parks Management Company Limited (NPPMCL), JCC and Services International Hotel Lahore also came under discussion.