ISLAMABAD, Oct 8: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pointed out multiplicity of implementing agencies in the execution of its $1.3 billion ongoing projects in Pakistan.

The ADB raised the issue when an ADB mission comprising Lloyd Powell and Keith Leonard called on Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics Dr Salman Shah here on Friday.

The meeting reviewed the progress of various programmes to improve governance and to provide easy access to justice for the people. The ADB assisted programmes amount to $1.3 billion.

Expressing satisfaction over the support of federal and provincial governments, the ADB mission pointed out multiplicity of implementing agencies, an official statement said.

Dr Salman Shah said Pakistan has traditionally focussed on mega projects but at present the government was moving towards community development programmes and Khushal Pakistan programme was one of them.

He said the improvement in governance was a critical area and the measurement of result was more difficult but what was needed was the visibility of services at grass-roots level.

He said the government was focusing to provide clean drinking water and electricity to all by 2007 besides improvement in the education, health and sanitation areas.

He emphasized the need to involve local governments and community based organizations to prepare and implement projects of community development.

Dr Shah further said the government was determined to improve governance and access to justice. He asked the ADB mission to identify bottlenecks and suggest remedial measures so that action could be taken at the highest levels.