Uplift of backward areas vital for quality life: Gilani

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said uplift of backward areas was vital to improve the quality of life of the people and to fully exploit the economic potential to achieve national prosperity.
Chairing a meeting on socio-economic development of backward areas here at the PM House, Gilani directed that efforts be made to ensure uniformity in the level of development to strengthen national solidarity. The meeting reviewed progress of infrastructural projects and development schemes within the available funds to bring all parts of the country at par.
The PM said the progress would generate socio-economic activities and establish linkages between various regions of the country. He also stressed the need to ensure that available national resources including water were equitably distributed to speedup development efforts.
Gilani said the spirit of cooperation and accommodation in finalizing the NFC Award was testimony to the fact that the elected representatives of the people can resolve issues to the mutual benefit of the entire population.
He asked the ministries of finance and communication to pursue consultative process with other Ministries as well as the Provincial govts to integrate the overall development activities. He stressed that allocated funds, after the austerity cut, be appropriately re-allocated keeping in view the priority areas.
Earlier the Prime Minister was briefed on progress about various infrastructural projects being carried out by the Ministry of Communication and the National Highway Authority in different parts of the country.
He was also briefed on various on-going development schemes in backward areas and was apprised that due to austerity measures, the projects and schemes need to be prioritised.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Shaukat Tarin, Minister for Communication Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan, Secretary Communication, Acting Secretary Finance, Chairman NHA and concerned senior officials.