PESHAWAR, Aug 4: NWFP Minister for Health Inayatullah has assured extension of the Malakand Rural Development Project (MRDP), saying the project is indispensable for development of backward areas.

He was presiding over a meeting held at the civil secretariat to discuss the project. MPA Habibur Rahman, Special Development Unit director general Ahmad Hanif Aurakzai, special secretary Mohammad Ikram Khan, project director Sanaullah and high-ups of the project attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed activities being carried out under the project in the Malakand region.

The meeting was informed that the project was striving for development of the area. Under the project, the meeting was told, steps were being taken to ensure basic development requirements in the area.

The meeting was told that 800 schemes were being carried out under the project with the assistance of the community.

The meeting hoped that the project would improve the standard of life of people of far-flung areas of the Malakand region.

The minister directed authorities of the project to pay community arrears as soon as possible.—APP