Uplift of backward areas top priority: Gilani

ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday chaired a meeting to review the progress on the ongoing development projects in southern Punjab here at the Prime Ministers House.
Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister said that development of underdeveloped regions of the country is the top priority of the government to help bring people of these areas into the mainstream of national life. The Prime Minister said that the Balochistan Package, development efforts in FATA, reconstruction work in Malakand, infrastructure improvements in Sindh and uplift of Gilgit-Baltistan are some of the measures undertaken by the Federal Government to address the problems of the people living in these regions. Southern Punjab, he added, also requires attention with emphasis on coordinated efforts by taking all stakeholders including the elected representatives of the people of the area as well as the provincial governments into confidence. Earlier, the Prime Minister was briefed about the upcoming schemes for the next PSDP including those related to infrastructure development.
Projects relating to the health and education sectors focusing on up-gradation of primary healthcare facilities and educational institutions were also discussed.
Concerned federal secretaries, Chairman NHA, MD Bahauddin Zikaria University and DG Civil Aviation Authority attended the meeting.