PM hints at amending Local Govt system
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government would improve upon the existing local bodies system in order to make these democratic institutions more effective in redressing the problems of the people at their door step.
The Prime Minister was talking to a group of parliamentarians including Federal Ministers, who called on him here in his Chamber at the Parliament House on Thursday.
The Prime Minister reiterated government’s resolves to come up to the expectations of the people with commitment to serve them and bring about a change in the standard of living. This objective, he said, would be achieved through support and cooperation of the representatives of the people.
While referring to the announcement about the abolishment of FCR, the Prime Minister said that it was the desire of the Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, to empower every individual in order to enable him/her to participate in the democratic process without any duress.
The same, he added was incorporated in the manifesto of PPP to establish the democratic rights of the people. However a Parliamentary Committee, he added representing all shades of life including the Parliamentarians from FATA would be constituted soon to ascertain the modalities.
The Prime Minister further expressed confidence to strengthen the democratic institutions and establish the supremacy of the Parliament in order to ensure political stability and rule of law.
The efforts for reconciliation through dialogue with all the political forces, he said would continue so as to promote harmony and peaceful social order in the society. Peace and security, he added are two essential components for country’s future progress and prosperity.
The Prime Minister also expressed government’s commitments to provide housing to the people across the country particularly in the neglected areas. In this context, he added the government has already started working on various short term and long term proposals.
The Parliamentarians including MNAs from FATA extended their full support to the government for its efforts to bring about a change in the life of the people as well as improvement in their living standards.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday made it clear that those responsible in manhandling incidents in Dr Sher Afgan and Arbab Ghulam Rahim cases along with riots in Karachi will be exposed and bought to justice said that undemocratic forces would not be allowed to succeed.
Strongly condemning such acts of violence in Karachi, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday addressing the National Assembly Session said that such acts cannot be condone in any society especially in ours which has given a clear mandate to democratic forces.
He said the people of this country non-violence and a peaceful environment and our government would ensure a peaceful non-violent society and would work for the economic well fare of the people of this country.
“ I appeal to all political parties, individual parties to exercise restraint and show tolerance”, the Prime Minister said. Underlining that some people are creating hurdles in smooth democracy said that such ‘mischievous’, ‘unjustified’ steps are taken by those elements who do not want democracy to flourish in the country.
“ I assure the nation that the government would not allow such undemocratic forces to succeed”, he said. We would not allow the scarifies rendered by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for the democracy in this country go a waste, he said
Prime Minister said that we believe in principles of non-violence, reconciliation and would ensure supremacy of parliament.
He said that he has already directed concerned authorities to unveil the culprits of violence and take notice of such inhuman acts occurred in last couple of days. He further said that Punjab Government has constituted a three-member Committee while Interior Ministry has been ordered to investigate the Karachi Riots.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani congratulated Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on his nomination as Leader of the Opposition.