MULTAN, Oct 28: Governor Salmaan Taseer said on Tuesday the appointment of commissioners will not affect the powers of district coordination officers or local councils.

Prior to leaving Multan airport for Muzaffargarh, Mr Taseer said slain Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto believed in the devolution of powers and the government was not going to wind up local councils. He said recently revived commissioners would only monitor revenue matters. He said he did not interfere in Punjab government’s matters, but would continue caring for the interests of the federal government in the province.

MUZAFFARGARH: Mr Taseer said the PPP would grab the slot of Muzaffargarh district nazim in the upcoming byelection. He said this at the Urs of Taj Saeen, arranged by PPP MPA Mahr Irshad Sial here in Muzaffargarh.

He said regardless of the Pakistan Muslim League-N made adjustment with his party or not, the PPP would field its candidate and would win the slot. The slot was vacated by Qayyum Khan Jatoi who became the MNA in 2008 elections.

The governor did not announce any development package for Muzaffargarh. The only project he announced was of a recreational park. He said he was impressed by the culture of Muzaffargarh. At the fair, a lot of cultural programmes, including khed, pegging, kabbadi and race of hares and bullterriers, were held. Sources said the governor came to the fair to pacify the MPA who was forced to leave a Green Tractor Scheme ceremony last week by PML-N leader Zulfiqar Khosa. Mr Sial said that his party wanted coalition with the PML-N but some leaders wanted to affect the working relationship.