LAHORE: The local government system of the previous government was faulty and the new system is being introduced to rectify the past mistakes, says Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

Presiding over the provincial parliamentary party meeting at the Punjab Assembly here on Tuesday, he said people would be empowered in the new local bodies system. Metropolitan corporations would be set up in every division of the province and development funds worth Rs40 billion would be devolved to the grassroots.

“The Punjab Assembly members are making a new parliamentary history by approving the new local bodies system and, today (Tuesday), new history is being written,” he said.

The chief minister said elections of urban and tehsil councils would be held on party basis and those of neighbourhood councils and panchayats on non-party basis.

He said tenure of local bodies is being unanimously fixed for a period of four years. The CM thanked the parliamentarians for reposing their confidence in him during the previous meeting and assured them that he would come up to their expectations.

“You are my lieutenants and I am your companion. I understand your problems and we will jointly work in such a way for public welfare that it will always be remembered in history. I have already said that my every assembly member is the chief minister and I again reiterate this commitment that you are the chief minister and your genuine work will be done on a priority basis.”

He said a gap had occurred in meeting with the assembly members due to some engagements.

“However, I am restarting meetings with the assembly members now. We will solve the problems of the people by visiting divisions and districts and the prestige and honour of assembly members will be restored because your respect is my respect. The government will give a priority to the advice of assembly members in all the measures,” he said.

Buzdar said people of the province would be served in consultation with the elected representatives.

Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said a legal mechanism has been adopted for the new local government bill and the opinion of the opposition has been given importance. He said the restriction of education for mayor and speaker is being removed.

Auqaf Minister Saeedul Hassan Shah led the Fateha prayer for the departed soul of father of MPA Sardar Ahmad Ali Dreshak.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2019