Govt allocating resources for socioeconomic uplift of deprived areas.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar Friday said despite budget constraints, the incumbent government is allocating additional resources for socioeconomic uplift of deprived areas through regional equalization programme.

The federal minister was talking to a visiting IMF Mission Chief Ernesto Ramirez Rigo who along with a delegation called on him, a press release said.

He said focus is being paid on enhancing productivity by investing more in knowledge economy, education, water resources and correcting transmission lags.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Secretary Zafar Hasan and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.

The minister thanked IMF for reinforcing need for higher public sector development spending in providing stimulus to the economic growth.

He highlighted contours of development budget and mentioned that focus of the development outlay is early completion of on-going projects.

He said the government is under obligation under Water Policy to...