SWABI: Provincial local government minister Shahram Khan Tarakai has claimed the new local government system to be introduced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces will empower the people at the grassroots level in real sense.

Speaking at a programme of Swabi Electronic Media Association here on Tuesday, he said with introduction of the new system the village councils would get direct powers. “It will be a good system whose essence is people’s welfare,” he said.

Mr Tarakai said: “Prime Minister Imran Khan desires that under the new system the powers should be delegated to the people and their elected representatives at the grassroots level.”

There would be development at the grassroots level, he said, adding the people would enjoy great powers in the new system compared to the previous one because the elected representatives would be accountable to the masses directly.

In reply to a question, he said the role of local governments in the country’s development was critical.

“Imran Khan is a name of vision, progress and prosperity,” he said, adding PTI wanted to strengthen the institutions to deliver the goods. Strong institutions are a prerequisite for progress and development of the country, he maintained.

Answering a question, he said main focus of PTI government was bringing economic revolution in the country through various reforms.

He said the previous government had badly harmed the institutions and made hollow claims about economic progress.

“Our policies are crystal clear and we never hide anything from people,” he declared.

The local government minister rejected the opposition’s claim that the government had imposed huge taxes on people.

He said in the upcoming by-elections the PTI would emerge victorious once again because the opportunist politicians had been rejected by the people.

Mr Tarakai said once again the rival political parties had joined hands and fielded joint candidates against PTI nominees, but the voters were well aware of their hollow slogans and empty pledges.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2018