Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has termed the development of the newly merged districts and efforts to overcome their backwardness as the government's top priority.

He was interacting with students from the newly merged districts in Islamabad today.

The minister said the government will soon launch a skills training programme for youth and a major solarization project for electricity generation in the newly merged districts.

He said the government is striving to alleviate poverty by promoting education in the country.