LAHORE, July 8: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi left here for a five-day private visit to the UAE on Thursday morning. He was accompanied by his family members, officials said.

Before leaving for the UAE, the chief minister presided over a meeting on the provision of resources for development projects.

He directed the officials concerned to complete the projects in the health, education, communication and works, irrigation, agriculture and other departments within the stipulated timeframe. He said the finance department must release funds for the projects without any delay.

The chief minister said the process for approving the development projects had been simplified. The departments concerned would be bound to immediately approve the feasible schemes.

Planning and development chairman Salman Ghani briefed the chief minister on development projects in all cities. Communication and works secretary Sibtain Fazle Haleem gave details of the road network and different aspects of other projects.