The Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), have launched a new initiative titled “The Project for Development of Public Service Infrastructure in the Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” to strengthen local governance and improve access to essential public services in KP’s Merged Districts. Implemented under UNDP’s Merged Areas Governance Programme (MAGP), the partnership was formalized through a signing ceremony in Islamabad.
Following their merger with KP in 2018, the Merged Districts are undergoing a critical transition toward decentralized governance and localized service delivery. While notable progress has been made, newly established local systems continue to cope with the adjustments required by the merger, needing support to strengthen administrative mechanisms, improve civil response and expand access to basic public services. This project aims to address these gaps by strengthening the institutional capacity of the first-ever elected Tehsil Local Governments (TLGs) to deliver essential public services and promote community-responsive governance.
With a contribution of 518 million Japanese Yen (approximately US$3.5 million), the project will support 19 TLGs across eight Merged Districts to deliver essential services through small-scale infrastructure schemes, directly benefiting approximately 18,000 people and indirectly reaching an estimated 500,000 community members. Working closely with local administrations, the initiative will help identify and implement community-driven projects based on local needs, strengthening coordination, accountability, and community engagement.
The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Government of KP, the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and UNDP, reflecting a shared commitment to improving service delivery and local governance in a region with historically limited exposure to formal administrative systems.
Addressing the ceremony, H.E. Mr. AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, said: “We see that the merged areas are the one of the most challenging, yet a very key entry point that will bring sustainable peace and development to the province as well as the country of Pakistan.