ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to re-locate the National Reconstruction Bureau as part of the would-be Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

The NRB will now act as the focal organization tasked to generate fundamental thought on promoting good governance to strengthen democracy through the reconstruction of institutions of the state related to all aspects of governance and social welfare.

The Bureau will provide support to the Federal Government and provincial governments in implementation of local government system and interact with the government organizations for institutionalizing capacity building of local governments at all levels.

The NRB will also process the amendments to the local government laws proposed by the federal and provincial governments under the Article 268 read with the sixth schedule of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, for the approval of the President of Pakistan.

It will also initiate proposals for reconstruction of civil services at the Federal, Provincial and Local levels and assist the government concerned in implementation of the approved proposals.

The Bureau will liaise with the national and international think tanks on issues relevant to governance and organize seminars, workshops and conferences in the areas of Bureau’s activity and disseminate knowledge through media amongst all stakeholders;

The NRB will also perform such other functions as may be assigned to the Bureau by the prime minister, and submit an annual report to the prime minister during the month of March each year on its working studies, research, recommendations or suggestions in respect of any matter dealt with by the Bureau during the preceding year.

The Federal Cabinet also decided to replace the Chief Executive’s Committee of Devolution with the Prime Minister’s Committee on Devolution.—APP