06 March 2005	Sunday	24 Muharram 1426

ISLAMABAD, March 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday underscored the need for conducting the forthcoming local government elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.

According to a press release, the prime minister was talking to the acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, who called on him at the Prime Minister's House.

Mr Aziz complimented the acting CEC on conducting the recent by-elections in a transparent and smooth way. He said the role of the election commission was crucial as it performed a major role in furthering the democratic process.

Mr Dogar apprised the prime minister of the initiatives taken by the commission for fulfilling its obligations.

Mr Aziz also called upon elected representatives to ensure timely completion of development schemes and projects in their respective areas in order to bring the fruits of developments to the level of the common man.

Talking to Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Justice (retired) Abdul Razzaq Thaheem, he said adequate funds had been made available to the members of parliament and now they must ensure proper utilization of the money.

"Health, education and infrastructure development are being accorded high priority with a view to bringing the under- developed areas at a par with the developed ones," he added. He also called for ensuring quality of work. The minister updated the prime minister on funds availability and monitoring of the projects.

Meanwhile, during a meeting at the Prime Minister's House, Mr Aziz emphasized that the ministry of labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis should focus on reorganization of the Employees' Old-age Benefit Institute (EOBI).

He said we should be fair both to the employees and employers to create a healthy working climate so that the former got their rights. He said it was imperative that priority was given to training for skilled manpower and creation of a quality workforce. This could be best done through the public-private partnership, he added.