'Uplift of backward areas top priority'.

PESHAWAR -- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said on Saturday that development of the province's backwards areas was his government's top priority.

Talking to a delegation from the Lower Dir district, he said a workable development strategy had been formulated keeping in view the needs and issues of different areas, according to a statement issued here.

Mahmood Khan said under the Annual Development Progamme work was underway on several projects worth billions of rupees in Lower Dir district. He added over Rs1 billion had already been allocated in the current financial year.

He said these projects would be a milestone in ensuring prosperity of the district.

He said work was underway on about 50 development projects worth Rs11 billion in various sectors in the district and priority had been given to education...