ISLAMABAD: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided USD 3.5 million to strengthen local governance and improve access to essential public services in ex-FATA areas merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The JICA and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched this new initiative titled “The Project for Development of Public Service Infrastructure in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” aimed at addressing the 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. The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the KP Government, the Embassy of Japan, JICA, and the UNDP, reflecting a shared commitment to improving service delivery and local governance in a region with historically limited exposure to formal administrative systems. 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. 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. 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. 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. Addressing the ceremony, Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan, said: “We see that the merged areas are 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. 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 toward the outcomes.” Nakatsu Masaaki, Senior Representative of JICA Pakistan Office, said, “As the JICA’s technical cooperation project for TLGs (2022-26) has formulated Tehsil Development Plans through a participatory approach, this new project, a collaboration between UNDP and JICA, will play a crucial role in implementing these Plans and responding to the needs of local communities. JICA is confident that this project is not merely about implementing infrastructural schemes, but also about promoting mutual trust between local governments and communities, thereby strengthening the foundation for sustainable development in the region.”The initiative builds on JICA’s technical cooperation project for Strengthening Capacity of Local Government Officers in the merged districts of KP, which identified locally prioritized schemes through a participatory approach. Speaking at the occasion, Mahmood Khan, Joint Secretary (UN), Ministry of Economic Affairs, highlighted that the merged districts present both complex challenges and opportunities for KP. He added that by strengthening local governments for improved service delivery, this project supports our vision of sustainable development, unlocking the potential of local communities as key drivers for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr Ehtisham-ul-Haq, Chief International Development Section, Planning and Development Department, government of KP, remarked said that KP whole-heartedly welcome the support of government of Japan and UNDP - two of our most steadfast partners in the merged district’s development journey, and are confident that together we can make tangible progress in improving service delivery, local institutions, and public trust in the region. Aligned with UNDP’s five-year strategy for inclusive and accountable governance in Pakistan, the project also supports provincial and federal governments’ development plans for the Merged Districts, including the Tribal Decade Strategy and Accelerated Implementation Programmes I & II. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative for UNDP Pakistan, said that this was UNDP’s commitment in action to deliver services to communities that need them most, strengthen institutions that endure, and rebuild trust where it matters most. With the support of the Government of Japan and JICA and working closely with the government, we are translating this commitment into concrete plans and steady progress that delivers tangible change for the people of the Merged Districts.” Copyright Business Recorder, 2025