Islamabad, — 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. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Mahmood Khan, Joint Secretary (UN), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Government of Pakistan, highlighted: “The Merged Districts present both complex challenges and opportunities for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative for UNDP Pakistan, said: “This is our commitment in action: to deliver services to communities that need them most, strengthen institutions that endure, and rebuild trust where it matters most.

Source: The Patriot December 23, 2025 17:10 UTC