Pakistan

Background

Improving governance, poverty alleviation, community empowerment and strengthening LG have been identified as priority areas of action by the GoB. The PSDP of Balochistan recognizes these as key areas of interventions for achieving MDGs and commitment of the GoB is reflected in the Balochistan Resource Management Program, which supports these objectives. “.. .. The improvement of governance is an issue ……. …a cause of contributing to continuing low growth and increasing poverty within Balochistan. Transparency and accountability mechanisms need to be improved. The issues of accessibility of services and their quality also need attention….”

To address these issues the UNDP has supported Government of Balochistan through the Balochistan Area Development Project and the Trial District Management Project followed by Support to Devolution Reforms in Balochistan (SDRB). A recent evaluation of SDRB acknowledges the contributions of the project initiatives in improving public service delivery mechanism. The evaluation mission recommended longer-term support to strengthen LG system, CCBs in particular, and future interventions through replication of successful pilots such as Participatory Information Systems (PIS), District Management Information Centres (DMICs) and Balochistan Land Records Management Information System (BLRMIS), institutional development of Provincial IT and Social Welfare Departments at district level, and operational research. The AGRPB project aims to address these very issues.

Objectives

To strengthen provincial and local government institutions for effective implementation of devolution and related reforms.

To improve access to information for effective planning and implementation.

To monitor development activities and establishment of participatory mechanisms for effective community participation.

Key Achievements

An in country study tour for the members and officials of Balochistan Public Safety Commission to NRB and National Public Safety Commission Islamabad was organized. The purpose of the visit was to provide an opportunity to the members and officials of PPSC to understand the role of NRB and functions of various institutions created under the devolution plan.

The Balochistan Local Government Commission was assisted in generating its first ever annual report for 2006-2007. The report highlights the activities conducted by the commission during the period under review and identifies performance gaps as well. The practice, followed consistently, is intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the BLGC