ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday asked the newly elected chairpersons of the National Assembly standing committees to make efforts for bringing about visible improvement in the working of the ministries and departments assigned to them.

He was talking to MNAs who have been appointed chairpersons of the various standing committees of the National Assembly.

The prime minister said that the people have high expectations from them and they must try to come up to these expectations.

He said that some of the fields like tourism and petroleum and natural resources had great potential not only for generating more job opportunities but also to propel Pakistan on road to development.

The prime minister asked them to make every effort to tap true potential in every field and to prepare innovative strategies in this regard.

Prime Minister Aziz also asked the chairpersons to secure the cooperation of senior officials in their respective ministries and departments with a view to implementing the agenda of change.

The newly appointed chairpersons assured the prime minister of their cooperation in achieving the goals he has set for different ministries.

The newly elected chairpersons of various standing committees of the National Assembly who met the prime minister included Mehnaz Rafi (Women Development), Dr Noor Jehan Panizai (Petroleum and Natural Resources), Fizza Junejo (Defence Production), Dr Nisar (Narcotics Control), Meena Leghari (Tourism), Pir Muhammad Shah Khagga, (Religious Affairs), and Gul-i-Farkhanda, (Population Welfare).-APP

A Reporter adds: Special priority was being given to the agriculture sector, which formed the backbone of the country's economy, said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

He was talking to Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi here on Thursday to discuss the ongoing development schemes and projects in the province, says a press release.

Efforts were being made to ensure speedy availability of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides and solve problems of water shortage for the ease of farmers, said the prime minister.