Punjab Chief Minister's Adviser Hafiz Iqbal Khakwani has said that present regime was paying proper attention towards the Southern Punjab and it had approved development projects of Rs 20 billion for this backward and less developed area to bring it at par with major cities of the country.
Talking to newsmen here on Wednesday he said that a comprehensive strategy has been evolved by the chief minister for speedy implementation of development schemes in the province besides ensuring optimum utilisation of funds.
He said that development strategy of the present government is aimed at achievement of solid results. He said that due to development programme launched by the government, poverty ratio has reduced while greater efforts would be made towards poverty alleviation. He said the government is strengthening education, health, water supply and drainage and other sectors on priority basis and huge funds have been allocated for these sectors.
The advisor to CM said more funds have been earmarked for development projects for southern Punjab than the ratio of population of this region. He said the government is also giving due importance to water supply and sanitation system in the province especially in southern Punjab and outdated and rusty pipelines are being replaced on war footing. He said water treatment plants are being installed in 21 Tehsils of southern Punjab besides special attention is being paid to the improvement of communication system in this region.
Khakwani said that education sector reforms programme of the present government has resulted in promotion of education and increase in literacy rate in the province. He said changes of fundamental nature have been introduced in health sector to provide modern health facilities to the masses. He said huge funds are being utilised under health sector reforms programme for providing latest treatment facilities in rural and basic health centres.