Planning Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar says all-out efforts will be made to ensure implementation of Pakistan's regional equalization development plan to uplift the less developed regions of the country.

Talking to Finance Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra in Islamabad on Monday, he said the next budget will be a depiction of joint strategy of the federal and provincial governments for development.

Issues pertaining to projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa P and future strategies for development were discussed in the meeting.

The Minister said that a well coordinated plan would be adopted to develop intermediate cities of the province.

He said projects of drinking water, sewerage, housing and other sectors will also be implemented to ensure uplift of these areas.

Talking to Director General Special Communications Organization Major General Ali Farhan in Islamabad, the Planning Minister said the government is committed to extend 3G and 4G internet services to Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK to improve land based communications.

He said this extension will also help promote industry and tourism in these areas. During the meeting, DG SCO briefed the Minister about work of the organization, including laying of 820 Km optical fiber cable from Khunjerab to Rawalpindi under CPEC framework in Phase 1 and proposed phase-II as well.

Chairing a meeting on review of foreign funded projects in Islamabad, Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar said providing clean drinking water to major urban cities will be made a part of development strategy to address the needs of the people. 

The minister said the government is aware that major urban centres like Karachi and Quetta are facing issues of safe drinking water as well as sewerage treatment and disposal.

He said Karachi is a major commercial hub of the country and a vital engine of growth.

He called for according priority to major transport projects of the city including Karachi Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit, Red Transit, Green Line and Karachi Circular Railway.