KHAIRPUR, Oct 27: Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Jehangir Tareen has said that the local government system would remain intact and there is no programme to terminate or suspend it during the upcoming general elections or during the caretaker set-up.

He was talking to members of the local bodies at a reception hosted in his honour by the district nazim Khairpur, Niaz Hussain Shah Jilani, at the circuit house here on Saturday.

Mr Jehangir said that President Gen Pervez Musharraf wants to strengthen democracy in the country and this is why all the political parties are being contacted for dialogue.

The federal minister said that the National Reconciliation Ordinance is in the Supreme Court and the government would accept its decision.

Earlier, he visited different health centres which are working under president’s Primary Healthcare Initiative including Babarloi, Arab Machhi, Imam Bux Palh and Jiskani.

PML-F MNA Javed Ali Shah Jilani and others were also present on the occasion.