Tasnim - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has issued an order to withdraw a sum of $500 million from the National Development Fund of Iran for development projects in the southeastern boeswe province of Sistan and Balouchestan.

Speaking on the sidelines of a military event on Monday, Iran�s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani unveiled plans for withdrawal of $500 million from the National Development Fund on the Leader�s orders for development of the underprivileged province.

The National Development Fund of Iran (NDFI) is the country�s sovereign wealth fund. Founded in 2011 to supplement the Oil Stabilization Fund, NDFI is independent of the government's budget.

The $500 million in investment for development of Sistan and Balouchestan is expected to strengthen the border province�s infrastructures.

Located in southeast of Iran, the large province borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, and has a long coastline by the Sea of Oman.

The desert province grapples with severe water shortage, particle pollution, underdeveloped infrastructure and transit of illicit drugs.