ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Justice (retired) Abdul Razzaq Thaheem called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at Parliament House on Friday and apprised the premier of matters pertaining to his ministry.

The federal minister also discussed proposals to bring further improvement in the ministry's working. He informed the prime minister that the development schemes and projects submitted by the MNAs for 2003-04 would be completed on priority basis.

Talking to the minister, Mr Aziz said the local government system was aimed at empowerment of the people and improved governance. The elected representatives of the people have a key role in monitoring of different development projects, he added.

The prime minister called for promotion of the local government system with a view to solve the problems being faced by the people at grass-roots level.