Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak said on Saturday that the draft of the proposed Local Bodies' Act has been passed from the provincial cabinet and would be presented in the provincial assembly soon, which would be followed by the unveiling of the schedule for it. He was addressing a meeting of the office-bearers and workers of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) here.
Those present on the occasion were included provincial president, PTI and Speaker, KP Assembly, Asad Qaiser, general secretary and health minister, Shaukat Ali Yousufzai, incharge provincial secretariat, Ashfaq Paracha and all divisional, district presidents and general secretaries. Several PTI affiliated provincial ministers and members of the provincial assembly were also present.
The chief minister urged the party workers and office-bearers for beginning preparations for the upcoming local bodies' polls in a very organised and effective manner. He said that the party workers should set aside their petty differences and promote unity and co-operation in their ranks and strict follow the discipline of the party to reach the message of PTI to every house.
The meeting besides reviewing in detail the implementation of the reform agenda of the provincial government also discussed preparations of the party regarding the upcoming local bodies' elections and organisational matters of the party. The chief minister said that PTI have participated in the general elections on a big agenda, saying the people had not voted them for the cementing of streets, construction of roads and employment's, but for the changing of the system injustices, corruption and mal-practicing continued for last six decades.
He said that from the very beginning they had started work on their agenda for change. Terming the success in the local bodies polls in connections with the implementation of the manifesto of change of the PTI, he said that through good representation in local bodies organisations, the manifesto of the party and the slogan of change could be given real shape. Therefore, he said the workers should start vigorous preparations for these polls. He said the New Local Bodies System is an exemplary and unique law, adding through this system financial and administrative authorities would be devolved to grass-root level. He further said that under the new system the local community will be fully empowered in running the matters of educational, health and other social services providing agencies and development schemes. They will carry development work and other problems themselves and in this connection they will not have to look towards the members of the provincial assembly. The chief minister said that the new local government system will also help accomplished one of the electoral commitment of PTI. He urged on elected public representatives and party workers to play their crucial role in the implementation of the agenda of change and reform and strictly monitor the directives of the provincial government issued to government officials in connections with bringing change and reforms in their respective areas. He also directed the district presidents to establish a complaint cell in all districts and establish the Public Complaint Cell of the Chief Minister's Secretariat to simplify the procedure of the reaching of complaints of local population regarding the performance of the government departments. Talking about the few recent unpleasant incidents occurred in Peshawar, the chief minister said that such kind of incidents could not divert their attention from their reformative agenda. He said that they are determined for accomplishing their agenda in any circumstances and cost. He said that first priority is the establishment of peace in the province. The chief minister said that for strengthening police and introduction of necessary reforms they had given free hand to the force. He said that the provincial government will not interfere in the posting and transfers of police officers and the provincial police officer will be fully empower in this regard, which is the sole mean for restoration of peace and prevention of criminal activities in the province.
He said that from the very beginning they had started work on their agenda for change. Terming the success in the local bodies polls in connections with the implementation of the manifesto of change of the PTI, he said that through good representation in local bodies organisations, the manifesto of the party and the slogan of change could be given real shape. Therefore, he said the workers should start vigorous preparations for these polls. He said the New Local Bodies System is an exemplary and unique law, adding through this system financial and administrative authorities would be devolved to grass-root level. He further said that under the new system the local community will be fully empowered in running the matters of educational, health and other social services providing agencies and development schemes. They will carry development work and other problems themselves and in this connection they will not have to look towards the members of the provincial assembly. The chief minister said that the new local government system will also help accomplished one of the electoral commitment of PTI. He urged on elected public representatives and party workers to play their crucial role in the implementation of the agenda of change and reform and strictly monitor the directives of the provincial government issued to government officials in connections with bringing change and reforms in their respective areas. He also directed the district presidents to establish a complaint cell in all districts and establish the Public Complaint Cell of the Chief Minister's Secretariat to simplify the procedure of the reaching of complaints of local population regarding the performance of the government departments. Talking about the few recent unpleasant incidents occurred in Peshawar, the chief minister said that such kind of incidents could not divert their attention from their reformative agenda. He said that they are determined for accomplishing their agenda in any circumstances and cost. He said that first priority is the establishment of peace in the province. The chief minister said that for strengthening police and introduction of necessary reforms they had given free hand to the force. He said that the provincial government will not interfere in the posting and transfers of police officers and the provincial police officer will be fully empower in this regard, which is the sole mean for restoration of peace and prevention of criminal activities in the province.
