Japan and UNDP Partner to Strengthen Local Governance and Public Service Delivery in KP’s Merged Districts
Japan and the United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have launched a major governance and service delivery initiative aimed at strengthening local institutions and improving access to essential public services in the merged districts of the province. The project targets long-standing administrative gaps in the post-merger regions by empowering newly elected local governments and supporting community-driven development.
The initiative, funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency and implemented by UNDP under its Merged Areas Governance Programme, focuses on building the institutional capacity of Tehsil Local Governments. These local bodies, elected for the first time after the merger of the former tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are expected to play a central role in decentralized governance and localized service delivery but continue to face structural and administrative challenges.
With a financial contribution of 518 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to approximately 3.5 million US dollars, the project will support 19 Tehsil Local Governments across eight merged districts. Assistance will be provided through small-scale public service infrastructure schemes designed to respond directly to local needs. The project is expected to directly benefit around 18,000 people while indirectly improving access to services for nearly 500,000 residents.
Officials involved in the initiative stated that while progress has been made since the merger, local systems still require targeted support to improve administrative efficiency, civil response mechanisms, and access to basic services. By working closely with district and tehsil administrations, the project aims to enhance coordination, accountability, and community participation in governance processes.
The signing ceremony in Islamabad brought together senior representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and UNDP, reflecting a shared commitment to stabilizing and developing a region that has historically remained outside formal administrative frameworks.
Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, described the merged districts as a critical entry point for sustainable peace and development, emphasizing that the project goes beyond infrastructure to promote inclusive and participatory local governance. Nakatsu Masaaki, Senior Representative of JICA Pakistan, said the initiative builds on earlier technical cooperation that helped formulate Tehsil Development Plans through participatory methods, adding that the new project will translate those plans into tangible outcomes while strengthening trust between communities and local governments.
From the Government of Pakistan, Mahmood Khan, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said the project aligns with national development priorities by strengthening local governments as drivers of sustainable development and contributors toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Dr. Ehtisham-ul-Haq from the KP Planning and Development Department welcomed the continued support of Japan and UNDP, expressing confidence that the partnership would deliver measurable improvements in service delivery and institutional credibility.
UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk said the initiative reflects a commitment to delivering services where needs are greatest, reinforcing institutions that can endure, and rebuilding public trust through practical, community-focused interventions.
The project is aligned with UNDP’s broader strategy for inclusive and accountable governance in Pakistan and supports provincial and federal development frameworks for the merged districts, including long-term reform and accelerated implementation programmes aimed at integrating the region into mainstream governance and development structures.
Read in Urdu: جاپان اور یو این ڈی پی کا ضم اضلاع میں مقامی حکمرانی کے فروغ کا مشترکہ منصوبہ
