TIMERGARA, July 26: NWFP Food Minister Fazal Rabbani has said that local bodies are a nursery for politicians, as the system has produced politicians of integrity.

He was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected Nazim of Lower Dir district, Mr Ihsanullah, here on Saturday.

The minister said the ongoing stand-off between the provincial and the district governments was hampering the development process and turning away the investors.

He said that the MMA government was trying to bridge these differences so as to pave the way for development.

Mr Rabbani claimed that the MMA government had achieved many of its objectives and successfully implemented its electoral agenda despite difficulties and adverse propaganda unleashed against it. He said the federal government had also acknowledged that the law and order situation in the NWFP had improved.

Speaking on the occasion, provincial health minister Mr Inayatullah claimed the government had set an example in good governance by bridging the gap between the rulers and the ruled.

He termed the performance of the provincial government exemplary, saying the government was not against local bodies, but the system was wrought with deficiencies. The MMA government was striving to remove shortcomings in the local government system, he added.

In his speech, Sahibzada Tariqullah, Nazim Upper Dir district, criticized the government, saying that some elements in the government were trying to undo the new system by taking away powers from the Nazims. He said uncertain situation prevailing in the province must end so that more development projects could be initiated.

Earlier, district and sessions Judge Shamsher Ali Khan administered the oath to the newly-elected Nazim, Ihsanullah.

A large number of councillors, Nazims, MNAs, MPAs and government officials attended the ceremony.