ISLAMABAD: Planning, Development and Reform Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtiar on Tuesday stressed on the need for the equal and balanced development of south and north Punjab, saying that development strategies in this regard were of utmost necessity in order to facilitate all segments of society.
The federal minister was talking to Punjab Chief Secretary Yousuf Naseem Khokhar who called on him in Islamabad on Tuesday. Planning Secretary Zafar Hasan was also present in the meeting.
The minister emphasised that the Punjab government should focus on less-developed regions for equal progress of all the areas. He stated that the base of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was being expanded with the inclusion of agriculture sector under the framework.
Bakhtiar noted that Punjab was the largest province in terms of agriculture productivity, saying that Pakistan’s economy would grow if the province witnessed further agriculture growth.
During the meeting, Punjab’s annual development programme came under discussion. The minister was apprised that a study to assess the environmental and socioeconomic impact of Sutlej and Ravi rivers was also being conducted.
The minister called for optimal utilisation of existing resources for across the board development of the province.
