HARIPUR, Sept 21: District Nazim Dr Raja Amir Zaman said on Tuesday that the foremost benefit of the local government system was that it ensured good governance, which the previous systems lacked.

Briefing visiting parliamentarians of Norway here, he said a record number of development schemes had been launched in different districts and each locality had its representation at decision making forums under the system.

Norway's Ambassador Johnson Bijodan Kaptavan and union and tehsil nazims were also present. The nazim said the system had ensured good governance and people's empowerment and participation in the decision making process.

He said the system would bring a positive change in the country through empowerment of the middle class and bridging of the gap between the rich and the poor.

He said the system was spreading rapidly at the international level and running successfully in other countries. He said there were some hindrances in the working of the system but those would be overcome soon. -APP