In keeping with the Government of Switzerland’s longstanding efforts to support development initiatives in Pakistan, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) signed two cost sharing agreements with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist in reducing gender disparities in Pakistan.

The remote region of Torghar in Balochistan’s north-eastern district of Qilla Saifullah is the unlikely setting for a pioneering project that combines innovative environmental conservation methods with the principles of sustainable development.

Islamabad, 12 August 2008: The office of the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) will be working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen public grievances redress mechanisms under the Strengthening Public Grievance Redress Mechanisms (SPGRM) project. The US$ 1.6 million project will run from July 2008 to December 2010. (Click here for URDU Version)

Islamabad, 21st July 2008: ‘UNDP’s support to the Government on reviewing and analyzing public spending and allocations in pro-poor sectors through a gender lens will go a long way in understanding the needs of men and women and addressing them in a gender-sensitive manner’ stated Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Social Sectors at the launching ceremony of the UNDP-Supported Strengthening Poverty Reduction Strategy Monitoring (SPRSM) project by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).  Also present on the occasion were Mr. Farrukh Qayyum, Finance Secretary and Mr. Fikret Akcura, Resident Representative, UNDP. (Click here for URDU Version)