RAHIM YAR KHAN, April 28: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday announced a Rs50 million grant for development works in the district.

Addressing a gathering of nazims and naib nazims at Sadiq Club here, he said various schemes had been launched to provide gas, power and clean drinking water in southern Punjab. He said water filtration plants would be set up in each district.

By 2007, he said, each village in the district would be electrified. To a local demand, he asked Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Jatoi to remove irrigation complaints of local farmers.

He thanked the UAE government for carrying out a number development projects in the district.

According to APP, the prime minister offered his Friday prayers at the historical Bhong mosque.

Addressing a reception in his honour by former minister Raees Munir Ahmed in Bhong, he said farmers were the backbone of the national economy and the government was committed to provide them all facilities like irrigation water, fertilisers and seed.