Staff Reporter
Punjab Local Government and Community Development Minister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid on Monday said that it is priority of the PTI government to strengthen and empower the local government institutions. “A vibrant and integrated system of local government is being introduced in Punjab.”
LG and Community Development Minister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid was talking to German Ambassador in Pakistan HE Bernhard Schlagheck who called on him here on Monday.
Both the minister and ambassador discussed in detail various issue regarding local bodies elections in the province and community development.
Wasa Vice Chairman Sheikh Imtiaz was also present on the occasion. Talking to the German Ambassador, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid claimed that performance of local government institutions is being enhanced to upgrade the living standards of the masses.
He said that transit teams have been formed in Punjab under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned to transfer powers to local government institutions.
“Current LG representatives had been elected under Local Government Act, 2013 but presently the Local Government Act 2019 is in force in Punjab.
The government has approached the court for guidance in this regard”, Mahmoodur Rashid pointed out and added that tenure of the present local bodies representatives would expire on December 30.
“The Punjab government wants to hold new local body elections without any delay after the expiry of this term.”
The minister informed the German Ambassador that PTI has achieved great success in Azad Kashmir and by-election in Sialkot and will also win the cantonment board elections.
The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken concrete steps to strengthen the economy.
The German Ambassador appreciated the steps taken by the Punjab Government to upgrade local government institutions.
Meanwhile, Mahmoodur Rashid said that local bodies system would be strengthened to extend maximum facilities to the citizens.
He was addressing certificate distribution ceremony of 2nd Post Induction Training Course for 35 MOs (Fin & Reg) of LGS Punjab.
Secretary LG & CD department Sardar Noorul Amin Mengal, Ms Kousar Khan DG, LG&CD Ms Saira Omer and Secretary PLGB Sh Ishfaq Ahmed participated in the ceremony.
The Provincial Minister appreciated high standard of training and grooming of Municipal Officers in accordance with the requirements of field offices.
He directed teh officers to discharge their professional responsibilities with competence and spirit to serve the masses.
Sardar Noorul Amin Mengal asked the participants to improve their efficiency to come up to the expectations of citizens.
