HARIPUR, Dec 5: Federal Minister for Local Bodies and Rural Development, Omar Asghar Khan has said that to ensure the devolution of power to the lower stage in real sense, the government was contemplating giving the district government system and the powers of elected representatives a constitutional cover.

He was talking to the local newsmen at the residence of late Haji Ashraf Tanoli in the Khalabat Township on Tuesday.

He visited the area to condole the death of Haji Ashraf Tanoli with the bereaved family. He was accompanied by Saeed Akhtar Khan advocate, Waheed Azhar advocate and other Tehreek-i-Istaqlal workers.

Omar Asghar said the government had been receiving complaints regarding non-cooperation of some district officers with the area Nazims. However, he said, it should be clear that the district officer had to obey the legitimate and legal orders of the elected people.

He said although there were certain impediments in the way of the district government system, the present government, which was committed to transfer the power to the union council level, would implement its policies at every cost.

The minister urged the Nazims to contact him or the governor whenever they found any EDO, DCO or other officials not cooperating with their instructions.

To a question that whether he would join the newly formed Qaumi Jamhori Party, he nodded affirmatively.