Developing Backward Areas The results indicate that Punjab has taken over from Sindh as the most developed province of Pakistan with the highest average district development score. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has come closer to Sindh. Balochistan remains a relatively underdeveloped Province with a score 38 percent below that of Punjab. The very backward districts in each Province in category E and F are highlighted in Chart 25.1. Punjab has a relatively balanced pattern of regional development with no districts in these two categories. Chart 25.1: Districts at Low and Very Low Level of Development by Province Province Districts Punjab ­Sindh Sujawal, Tando Mohammad Khan, Badin, Umerkot, Tharparkar Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Kohistan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Torghar, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Tank Balochistan Sheerani, Kila Saifullah, Killa Abdullah, Ziarat, Harnai, Dera Bugti, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Shaheed Sikanderabad, Washuk, Awaran, Khuzdar, Sohbatpur Source: PSLM Survey, 2019-20, PBS The above districts must get the highest priority in development allocations by the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments. 25.8. Regional Distribution of Development Projects The objective of this analysis is to determine if the allocations in the Federal PSDP are focused more on development of the relatively under-developed areas in the country. If yes, then this will contribute significantly to reducing inequality in the country. A case study has been undertaken of project allocations by the National Highway Authority (NHA). This agency receives the largest allocation from the Federal PSDP. The allocation of Rs 113.7 billion out of the Federal PSDP of Rs 900 billion for 2021-22 is to the NHA. The portfolio of projects being implemented include 48 on-going and 15 new projects with the total cost of Rs 1979 billion. There are two types of projects. The first are trunk infrastructure projects which are inter-provincial in nature. The second type are smaller intra-provincial highway projects linking two locations within a province. A priori, there is the expectation that the allocation for intra-provincial projects would be the highest to Balochistan. This is the largest province in terms of geographical area, with a share of over 40 percent. However, it has less than 12 percent of the network of highways and roads in the country. 255