ISLAMABAD, Thursday,  December 18, 2025 (WNP): 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), on Thursday launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening local governance and improving access to essential public services in KP’s Merged Districts.

Titled “The Project for Development of Public Service Infrastructure in the Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the initiative is being implemented under UNDP’s Merged Areas Governance Programme (MAGP). The partnership was formalised through a signing ceremony held in Islamabad.

The Merged Districts, which were integrated into KP in 2018, are undergoing a complex transition towards decentralised governance and localised service delivery. Despite progress since the merger, newly established local systems continue to face capacity constraints, highlighting the need for institutional strengthening, improved civil response mechanisms and expanded access to basic public services.

The new project seeks to address these challenges by enhancing the capacity of the first-ever elected Tehsil Local Governments (TLGs) to deliver essential services and promote community-responsive governance.

With a financial contribution of 518 million Japanese Yen (approximately US$3.5 million), the project will support 19 TLGs across eight Merged Districts through small-scale, community-driven infrastructure schemes.

The initiative is expected to directly benefit around 18,000 people, while indirectly improving service delivery for an estimated 500,000 residents. Working in close coordination with local administrations, the project will identify and implement development schemes based on locally prioritised needs, strengthening accountability, coordination and community engagement.

The signing ceremony brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Government of KP, the Embassy of Japan, JICA and UNDP, reflecting a shared commitment to improving governance and service delivery in a region with historically limited exposure to formal administrative systems.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi described the Merged Districts as both a critical challenge and a strategic opportunity for sustainable peace and development in Pakistan.

“This project will not only support the recovery of essential community infrastructure and local service delivery, but also foster inclusive and participatory local governance to ensure a whole-of-society approach to development outcomes,” he said.

JICA Pakistan Office Senior Representative Nakatsu Masaaki said the project would play a key role in translating Tehsil Development Plans into action. He noted that JICA’s ongoing technical cooperation project for TLGs had already developed these plans through a participatory process. “This collaboration with UNDP is not merely about infrastructure; it is about building mutual trust between local governments and communities and strengthening the foundation for sustainable development,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, Mahmood Khan, Joint Secretary (UN) at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said the project aligned with Pakistan’s vision of empowering local governments to drive sustainable development and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr Ehtisham-ul-Haq, Chief of the International Development Section at KP’s Planning and Development Department, welcomed the initiative, describing Japan and UNDP as steadfast partners in the development of the Merged Districts. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to tangible improvements in service delivery, institutional capacity and public trust.

UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk said the project reflected a commitment to delivering services to communities most in need while strengthening institutions and rebuilding trust. “With the support of the Government of Japan and JICA, and in close partnership with government counterparts, we are translating this commitment into concrete action that will bring lasting change to the lives of people in the Merged Districts,” he said.

The initiative aligns with UNDP’s five-year strategy for inclusive and accountable governance in Pakistan and supports federal and provincial development frameworks for the Merged Districts, including the Tribal Decade Strategy and Accelerated Implementation Programmes I and II.