LAHORE, Aug 17: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi says the local government system has strengthened the democratic system at the grass roots and a dynamic and effective leadership has emerged.

He was speaking at a meeting addressed by President Musharraf and attended by federal and provincial ministers, parliamentarians and district nazims of Gujranwala, Kasur, Okara, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal and Lahore districts on Friday.

He said when General Musharraf took over in 1999, Pakistan was at the verge of being declared a “failed state”, but due to the general’s economic and political policies, it has stabilised politically and economically.

Pervaiz Elahi said unprecedented progress had been witnessed in all sectors during the last five years. The chief minister claimed the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) had introduced stability in the country. The PML was a united and organised party and would win the forthcoming elections on the basis of its performance, he said.

The people of Punjab fully support the president and he would be re-elected in the forthcoming presidential election with a majority, the CM said adding: “We have a complete trust in the general and believe that his success is in the best national interest and for continuity of the process of economic development and reforms agenda.”