ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday directed the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to come up with concrete and specific proposals to bridge the urban-rural disparity in the country.

While talking to Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, the President said the government must work for uplift and development of rural areas, which remained neglected in the past.

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) briefed the President about the status of various ongoing development projects. He said all projects for the rural areas were formulated in close consultation with the provincial governments.

He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was ensuring provision of basic necessities of life to the people at their doorsteps.

The President said there was a need to study the best practices being followed in other countries with regard to local government and rural development and should benefit from their experience.

He also emphasised the need for better coordination with the provincial governments to streamline the working of the institutions to make them more effective.