KARACHI, Aug 12: The Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Justice Abdul Razzak A Thahim, on Friday said the entire process of the local government elections would be completed peacefully in a fair, free and transparent manner.

“August 18 and 25 would pass in a secure and peaceful environment in the same way that the phases of filing nominations and withdrawal did,” he remarked.

The federal minister was speaking at a certificate distribution ceremony on conclusion of a three-day workshop on “Solid Waste Management” at the Municipal Training and Research Institute.

Fourteen people — government officers and NGOs representatives — from all over Pakistan, and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir participated in the training session.

Mr Thahim urged the trainee officers to make all-out efforts for the development of their respective areas for the ultimate benefit and uplift of the rural and urban populations.

He said the said workshop would enhance the skills and professionalism of community leaders and government functionaries.

Later, talking to journalists, the federal minister said it was the Election Commission that was running the election process with zero influence from the government side.

He said any person having complaints of harassment, etc should move the Election Commission, which had all powers to provide relief.

He also dispelled the impression that members of the provincial and national assemblies, and senators belonging to the opposition parties were subjected to discrimination in allocation of funds for development schemes.

“I have recommended development schemes of Rs5 million for each MNA and senator irrespective of their political affiliation. The summary has been approved by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. I have written to all members to send in their schemes,” he said.

Justice Thahim said the local government system had successfully completed its four years and hoped that it would deliver more in the future in improving the living standards of the masses and prosperity of the country.

When his attention was drawn to the corruption cases filed against nazims and naib nazims, etc, the minister said the process of accountability was a continuous one, which should not block the holding of LG polls on its right time.—APP