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| April 22, 2002 | Monday | Safar 8, 1423 |
Reforms to bring silent revolution: NWFP governor
CHARSADDA, April 21: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that the reforms process initiated by the government will bring about a silent revolution in the country.
Speaking at a gathering of Nazimeen and councillors of Charsadda district here on Saturday, the governor said during the last two-and-a-half years, a number of new policies were not only introduced but were also implemented in the country.
He said the most distinguished feature of the present reforms process was the introduction and successful implementation of the district government system.
The governor, however, admitted that there were some difficulties in the smooth functioning of the system as it was in its initial stages. He, however, clarified that these difficulties would be removed as these were not inherent in the system but were created by those whose interests were hit by the introduction of the new district government system.
The governor said the previous system in which the commissioners and deputy commissioner of a district enjoyed all the powers was designed by the British rulers to keep the local population enslaved. “We can forgive the British rulers because it was in their interest, but we cannot forgive those politicians who despite getting independence from the colonial rule kept the people enslaved since the British era,” he observed, lamenting that instead of bringing any positive change in that system, these politicians further corrupted it for their vested interests.
He said in the old system of governance the government officials were the masters of the masses destiny, enjoying all discretionary powers and were not answerable to the masses.
He said it was the beauty of the present district government system that no individual had any discretionary powers. Only the district, tehsil and union councils had the powers, he added.
The governor said that peasant and women councillors, and those representing the minorities had to play an important role in this system.
About the policies of the present government, he said due to the bold policies of the regime the writ of the government had been established.
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