Government will introduce necessary amendments in the Local Government Ordinance before commencing the second phase of the system in the country in August this year. This was stated by the Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development former Justice Abdul Razzak Thahim, while speaking at the certificate award ceremony of a training course organised by the Municipal Training and Research Institute (MTRI) here on Sunday.

He said that local government system was working very well all over the country and elected representatives including councillors and nazims and naib nazims were working for the welfare of people.

The minister underlined the need for the training of elected people and functionaries of new local government system for further improving their performance.

Appreciating the performance of elected representatives, he said that more development schemes were being launched to provide facilities to people at grassroots level.

The minister also responded to queries and issues raised by the participants about the existing local government system and emphasised on sustainable development at grass roots level through devolution of power.

Later, the minister gave away certificates to the successful participants of course.

Principal, MTRI, Mohammad Afzal Arain highlighted the aims and objectives of the training course. The course was participated by 35 district government functionaries, councillors, nazims and naib nazims.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005