LAHORE, March 20: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has announced reorganization of the PML-Q, and said the party MPAs and office-bearers would be given importance in government affairs.

Opposing war on Iraq, he said the federal government too shared the same views on the issue.

The chief minister was speaking at a PML-Q parliamentary party meeting here on Thursday during which he announced that he would visit all districts for party reorganization and reviewing the pace of development activities there.

He said the political leaders opposing the Legal Framework Order had contested the general election, taken oath in assemblies and signed the nomination papers under the same order. Therefore, there was no justification to oppose it now, he said.

The chief minister said constituency-wise funds had been allocated for development activities under the Tameer-i-Punjab Programme. Uplift projects would also be launched with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and under the Dera programme.

He said a ban on transfer and postings in the excise and revenue departments had been imposed to ensure meeting of the revenue targets. The local government system would be improved in the light of the suggestions by a committee constituted under the law minister for the purpose, and in consultation with the federal government.

He directed that every minister should sit in the Muslim League House once a week to redress problems of the people. The MPAs should also remain in touch with the people and point out the problems of schools in their constituencies so that these could be resolved.

MPA Dr Anjum Amjad, demanding restoration of the job quota for handicapped people, said steps should be taken on priority basis for their economic rehabilitation.

MPA Majid Nawaz said the government should take notice of police excesses and redress people’s complaints against them.

MPAs Qasim Noon urged the assembly members to maintain good relations with district Nazims and the bureaucracy so that the official business could effectively be conducted.

Industries Minister Ajmal Cheema said completion of the industrial projects would help overcome unemployment in the province.

MPAs Sibghatullah Chaudhry and Ahmad Khan also spoke on the occasion. Meanwhile, presiding over a meeting regarding the formulation of a new housing policy, Pervaiz Elahi said under the one-window operation the provision of power, gas, sewerage and water would be ensured in the housing zones.

He said a comprehensive plan was being made to provide residential facilities to the people. The plan would be implemented through private investments, bank loans and resources of the provincial government.

He said a post of additional director-general (housing) would be created in the LDA for supervising the one-window operation. Private developers would also be engaged, he said.

Chief minister’s adviser Jehangir Tarin briefed the meeting on the plan. The meeting was attended by Housing Minister Syed Ali Raza Gilani and senior government officials.