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ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP):Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have started a new project to strengthen local governments and improve access to basic public services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Merged Districts.
The initiative, supported with 518 million Japanese Yen (about US$3.5 million), will work with 19 Tehsil Local Governments across eight districts and is expected to benefit around 18,000 people directly and nearly 500,000 residents indirectly.
The project, titled “The Project for Development of Public Service Infrastructure in the Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” is funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It will be carried out under UNDP’s Merged Areas Governance Programme. A signing ceremony held in Islamabad marked the formal start of the initiative.
The Merged Districts became part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018. Since then, the region has been moving toward a system of local governance and decentralized public services. While progress has been made, newly formed local bodies continue to face challenges linked to administration, planning, and service delivery. Many areas still need support to build systems that can respond to local needs and provide basic facilities to communities.
The new project aims to address these gaps by strengthening the capacity of Tehsil Local Governments, which were elected for the first time in the Merged Districts. The focus will be on improving service delivery through small-scale public infrastructure schemes identified by communities themselves. These schemes will be planned and implemented in coordination with local administrations to ensure they reflect local priorities.
Under the project, UNDP and JICA will work closely with district and tehsil-level authorities to select and carry out community-based initiatives. The approach is expected to improve coordination between local governments and residents, increase accountability, and encourage public participation in decision-making. The project will also help local institutions manage public resources and respond to citizen needs more effectively.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and UNDP attended the signing ceremony. Their presence highlighted joint efforts to support governance reforms and service delivery in areas that had limited exposure to formal administrative systems in the past.
Speaking at the event, Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr Akamatsu Shuichi, said the Merged Districts are a key area for long-term stability and development. He noted that the project would support the restoration of community-level infrastructure and local services, while also promoting public participation in local governance. He said inclusive local systems are important for ensuring that development benefits reach all segments of society.
Mr Nakatsu Masaaki, Senior Representative of the JICA Pakistan Office, said the project builds on JICA’s ongoing technical cooperation with Tehsil Local Governments from 2022 to 2026. He explained that earlier efforts helped prepare Tehsil Development Plans through public consultations. The new partnership with UNDP, he said, will help put these plans into action and respond to community needs. He added that the project also aims to build trust between local governments and citizens.
The initiative is linked to JICA’s earlier project on strengthening the capacity of local government officers in the Merged Districts. That effort identified priority schemes through local participation, which will now guide infrastructure development under the new programme.
Mr Mahmood Khan, Joint Secretary (UN) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said the Merged Districts present both challenges and opportunities for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that improving service delivery through stronger local governments supports Pakistan’s broader development goals and helps local communities contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Ehtisham-ul-Haq, from the Planning and Development Department of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, welcomed the support from Japan and UNDP. He said both partners have played an important role in the development of the Merged Districts and expressed confidence that the project would help improve services, strengthen institutions, and build public trust.
The project aligns with UNDP’s five-year strategy focused on inclusive and accountable governance in Pakistan. It also supports federal and provincial development frameworks for the Merged Districts, including the Tribal Decade Strategy and Accelerated Implementation Programmes I and II.
UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk said the initiative reflects a commitment to deliver services where they are most needed and to support institutions that can sustain progress. He said that, with Japan’s support and close coordination with government partners, the project aims to bring practical improvements to daily life in the Merged Districts through steady and planned action.