Aligning district-level development steps with global SDGs discussed

LAHORE: A consultation titled ‘A Dialogue on SDGs Alignment’ was held at The Urban Unit as part of the Chief Minister District Sustainable Development Goals (CMD-SDGs) Programme.

The session brought together policymakers, researchers, and sectoral representatives to deliberate on aligning district-level development initiatives with the global SDGs. The event started with opening remarks by Ahmar Sohail Kaifi, Additional Secretary (Development), Local Government & Community Development Department (LG&CDD), who reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to integrating SDG principles into local planning and execution frameworks.

Abid Hussaini, Project Team Lead for the Third-Party Validation (TPV) of SDGs, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the validation methodology, interim findings, and key insights gathered from various sectors and administrative divisions. His presentation laid the groundwork for a data-driven dialogue focused on measurable progress and improved accountability.

Dr Nousheen Zaidi, Director of the Action Research Collective and Professor at the Gene Lab, Punjab University, highlighted ARC’s role in revalidating the findings of The Urban Unit. She discussed the factors influencing the quality of CMD-SDG schemes, regional disparities in performance, and the reliability of existing performance indicators.

Dr Zaidi concluded that ARC’s results are largely aligned with The Urban Unit’s assessments, lending further credibility to the validation process. Dr Kaisar Bengali, Consultant for the CMD-SDGs Programme, shared key findings from his visits to Sialkot and Rawalpindi, highlighting the need for stronger strategic planning and improved systemic processes in development schemes. He noted that while construction quality seems adequate, a more balanced bottom-up approach is crucial. He also discussed how PC-I documents flow through various administrative tiers from the grassroots level.

Infrastructure and water challenges directly impact daily life, poor planning leads to unsafe roads, inadequate drainage, and limited water access for families. In recognition of these human-centered issues, the session concluded with a robust Q&A featuring representatives from LG&CDD, PHED, Wasa, C&W, and the School Education Department. Stakeholders shared feedback, discussed challenges, and offered sector-specific insights. This dialogue represents a crucial move toward a more collaborative and evidence-based approach to sustainable development in Punjab’s districts.