CM reviews meeting regarding new LG system

With the compliments of the
Directorate General Public Relations,
Government of the Punjab, Lahore.

Ph: 99201390

No: 705/Sultan/mta

HANDOUT (A)

LAHORE, April 23:

                   Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that local government institutions are nurseries of democracy which promote democratic traditions. He said that these institutions provide necessary facilities and services to the common man at basic level through which maximum people benefit from the fruit of democracy. He said that the provincial government is fully aware of the importance and utility of these institutions and will ensure that living standard of the people should improve and their problems are redressed through new local government system. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government will establish such a comprehensive local government system which will come up to the expectations of the masses and will be unique with regard its performance. He said that new local government system will evolve such an effective institutionalized mechanism for redressing the problems of the people at local level as will benefit the common man.

                   He was presiding over a high level meeting with regard to setting up a new local government system in the province, here today. Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Members National Assembly Zahid Hamid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ayyaz Ameer, Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, Chief Secretary Punjab, Advocate General Punjab, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretaries of Local Government, Finance, Law and Agriculture departments, Commissioner Rawalpindi and others attended the meeting.

                   Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the scope of service to the masses is expanded due to the local bodies’ institutions. He disclosed that legislation will be made through provincial assembly for enforcing new local government system. He said that such a local government system would be established in consultation with public representatives as would be in accordance with the aspirations of the masses and becomes a source of provision of relief to them. The Chief Minister said that Pakistan Muslim League-N believes in devolution of powers at basic level and it had strengthened these institutions during its different tenures. He said that the local government institutions accelerate the process of provision of education, health, water and sewerage and other basic facilities to the common man which results in improving their living standard. Shahbaz Sharif said that local government institutions are a source of strengthening of democratic system and democratic traditions and culture is promoted through these institutions. On this occasion, the Chief Minister while terming the recommendations of the high level committee set up with regard to outlining the features of new local government system said that the members of the committee and all concerned departments have worked meticulously for formulating recommendations upon which they deserve appreciation.

                   Earlier, Chairman of Committee and Member National Assembly Zahid Hamid and Secretary Local Government Khizar Hayat Gondal informed the meeting about recommendation with regard to new local government system. The participants of the meeting also gave their suggestions regarding new local government system.

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