RAWALPINDI, Sept 13: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday promised a “big development package” for Rawalpindi city district if the government-backed candidate Raja Javed Ikhlas is elected as the city district nazim.

Talking to this reporter after meeting the prime minister, Mr Ikhlas said Mr Aziz’s promise would send a “positive message” to the electorate. The former district naib nazim said the prime minister wanted him to be “successful before the people”.

The promised package, he said, would be used for water supply, widening of roads, underpasses, overhead bridges, sewerage and rural electrification.

Mr Ikhlas apprised the prime minister of the problems of the district. “Various proposals for improving the standard of living and development of the city district were discussed,” he said.

Mr Aziz, the PML candidate said, assured him that in view of the importance of the city, Rawalpindi would continue to be government’s priority.

Issues related to the third phase of elections in which city district and town nazims would be elected were also discussed. Mr Ikhlas said he assured the premier that Pakistan Muslim League would win all seats with a “huge majority”.

The prime minister, Mr Ikhlas said, congratulated him on being nominated by the PML for the city district nazim slot.

It may be recalled that provincial local bodies minister Raja Basharat had warned that Rawalpindi wouldn’t be provided any special grant in case an opposition candidate was elected as city district nazim.

Political circles see Mr Ikhlas’ meeting with the prime minister as a deliberate attempt to boost his campaign and convey to the electorate in the most unequivocal terms that the government is fully backing him and wants to see him successful.