ABBOTTABAD, Jan 13: The NWFP governor, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, has said that the government has introduced real democracy in the country and masses have already started to feel positive results.

He said in the past sham democracy was practised and in that so-called democratic system public representatives were ruling the people. He was addressing a big public gathering here on Sunday.

He said that when the present local government system was introduced certain elements, representing vested interests, made hue and cry and claimed that the NGOs government was being installed. People, he said, elected their own representatives in a transparent manner.

Maintenance of law and order was the top priority of the government, which was necessary for the economic development of the province, he added.

Highlighting the achievements of the government in Hazara division, Mr Shah said that this government has restored the DHQ hospital at Abbottabad which was closed by the previous government.

The government, he added, established Hazara University at Dhodial in Mansehra district, IT university in Abbottabad, girls degree colleges in Havellian and Nawanshehr. We do not believe in hollow slogans and fake promises, he said. He maintained that the government was striving hard to resolve the basic problems of the people despite financial hardships.

Responding to the demands of the people, governor assured the gathering that he would try his best to get foreign aid for the water supply scheme in Abbottabad. He said that huge amount of Rs1 billion was required to carry out this scheme. He announced that the NWFP government has received Rs1 billion from federal government as Khushhal Pakistan and Abbottabad would get Rs36 million. He also announced Rs10 million for the refurbishment of the district secretariat, Rs1 million for lady councillors and assured the people that all the incomplete schemes would be completed without delay.

He advised the union councillors to utilize the public funds in the most transparent manner.

Earlier district Nazim and Naib-Nazim welcomed the governor and thanked him for visiting Abbottabad.—APP