MIRPUR (AJK), Aug 01 (APP): Pakistan chapter of UK based NGO Muslim Hands and the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in London late Sunday to launch mass public welfare projects through mutual collaboration and cooperation in various rural areas of Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
“After round of consultative meetings between the NGO and the National Rural NRSP, both the organizations have agreed to move ahead and plan for the execution of various socioeconomic and rural development projects across Pakistan and AJK” , said a press release issued on Monday.
“The Pakistani diaspora in UK shall be presented with the initiation of development work in their home villages or hometowns in Pakistan and AJK by Muslim Hands and NRSP in the form of ‘Village Development Plan’ or ‘Adopt a Village’ along with the offer of business partnerships with the diaspora,” it said.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Chairman/CEO Muslim Hands Pir Syed Lakhte Hassanain and Chairman NRSP Shoaib Sultan Khan along with CEO NRSP Dr Rashid Bajwa.
According to the MoU, both the organisations shall work together to develop a programme strategy, digitization of the process, and for close monitoring of interventions for both organization and for donors.
Furthermore, the components that would be focused in village development plan include skill development, transfer of productive assets, solar housing, access to financial services, and social enterprises at household level, it said.
“Whereas, at the village level the programme shall focus on access to clean drinking water, renewable energy, and education, as well as solutions for irrigation, and lighting of schools and health facilities. A comprehensive programme with the name of WISE (water, immunization, sanitation and education) at union council level shall also be planned.
“Apart from that, establishment of district level diaspora facilitation centers to support (i) alternate dispute resolutions for social, economic and lands issues, (ii) facilitation on multiple registration/certifications matters related to different public sector organizations like NADRA, FBR, Land revenues, Educational equivalent certification etc, (iii) exploring the visiting spots in Pakistan and AJK, (iv) orientation/refreshers about relevant migration laws before departure to respective destinations abroad etc.
“Graduates of Pakistani community in the UK shall also be engaged/encouraged to participate in this programme through internships”, the press release said.
