Participatory progress

Last week, I went to the village of Issori, North Waziristan. I had a chance to discuss the benefits of a street pavement project with its beneficiaries, completed by an NGO in 2021. To my surprise, three years after its completion, the cemented streets are still intact and being used by almost 2,000 people. Moreover, motorists, bikers and three-wheelers can drive very conveniently, which was very difficult previously. The smooth streets, drainage and setting up of five solar lights helped in creating a safer environment. Referring to its sustainable use, it was disclosed that the need for street pavement was identified in a participatory method, project implementation was done through a local community-based organization and, most importantly, an operation and maintenance system was put in place to ensure long-term benefits.

Reflecting on this experience, I believe that adopting a participatory approach is important to addressing basic infrastructure challenges like pedestrian bridges, irrigation channels, drinking water supply schemes, link roads and protection structures in the former tribal districts. By involving local communities in project planning and execution, we can better meet their needs while ensuring sustainable development. I urge policymakers and stakeholders to consider these lessons from successful initiatives like the street pavement project in North Waziristan. Empowering communities through participatory development strategies will pave the way for transformative change.

Shakeel Khan

Peshawar