LAKKI MARWAT, May 25: Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Salim Saifullah Khan has said the federal government has approved several important development projects for the district with a view to bringing it at par with other developed areas of the country.

Speaking at a public meeting in the Agari Khanzad Khel area on Friday, the minister said that projects like the Kurrum Tangi dam, Indus Highway from Gandi to D.I. Khan, provision of natural gas, establishment of 132KV grid stations and completion of uplift schemes in power, communication and heath sectors would bring a real change in the district.

“I am ready to hold dialogue with political opponents on welfare projects in the area,” he said. He thanked President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for taking interest in dealing with the backwardness of the southern districts of the Frontier province.

He said the federal government-funded projects besides, bringing development and progress would raise the living standards of the local people and provide them with job opportunities.

He slammed the MMA-led NWFP government, accusing it of draining uplift funds of the Lakki district government in favour of Wapda. He claimed that the members of the provincial and national assemblies from the district were utilising their energies on victimising government employees on political basis.