Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development former Justice Abdul Razzak A Thahim on Friday said that entire process of scheduled Local Government elections would complete peacefully in fair, free and transparent manner.
"18th and 25th August will pass in secure and peaceful environment, for all like phases of filing nominations and withdrawal," he remarked.
The minister was speaking at certificate distribution ceremony on completion of three day workshop on "solid waste management" here at Municipal Training and Research Institute.
Fourteen people - government officers and NGOs representatives- from all over Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir participated in this training session.
The Minister urged the trainee officers to make all out efforts for development of their respective areas for ultimate benefit and uplift of rural and urban population.
He said this workshop would enhance the skills and professionalism of the community leaders and government functionaries.
Later, talking to media, the Federal Minister said it was Election Commission running the election process with zero influence from Government side.
President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had strictly directed the Government functionaries to keep Government out of election process.
He said any person having complaint of harassment etc should move the Election Commission, which had all powers to provide relief.
So far I have received not a single complaint of political harassment," he added.
He also dispelled the impression that members of provincial and national assemblies, and senators belonging to opposition parties were being discriminated in allocation of funds for development schemes.
"I have recommended development schemes for Rs five million to each MNA or Senator irrespective of their political affiliation. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved the summary, I have written to all members to send their schemes," he said.
About the government's seriousness towards development, he said Rs 306 billion had been allocated for development projects in the country during 2004-05, which was a record allocation.
Justice Thahim said local government system had successfully completed its four years and hoped that in future it would deliver more in improving the living standard of masses and prosperity of country.
To a query, he said US system was still to be implemented in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad.
When his attention was drawn to the corruption case filed against Nazims and Naib Nazims etc, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development said accountability was continuing process which should not block the holding of LG polls on its right time.
He acknowledged that President Musharraf strengthened the LG system and that was why he declined all requests to defer the scheduled elections.
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