EU urged to extend project for 2 years

PESHAWAR: Senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Inayatullah has thanked European Union for the budgetary support to the project of Community-Driven Local Development (CDLD) policy implementation in six districts of Malakand division.

Talking to the EU delegation, the minister said over 2,000 community projects were approved and implemented with active engagement of the community organisations.

He mentioned the delay in implementation of some projects and asked the EU delegation to consider the extension of the programme for at least another two years, said an official handout. The senior minister pointed to the institutionalisation of the CDLD policy principles into the Local Government Act 2013 (LGA 2013) devolution of work, especially at the village council and neighbourhood council levels.

The EU Pakistan head of cooperation Bernard Francois welcomed the senior minister’s suggestions. He assured his full support in extending the programme by the EU headquarters.  The official appreciated the ownership of the programme by provincial, political and administrative leadership.

Both the EU delegation and the senior minister agreed to development of a proposal for extension of the programme for another two years as well as including Buner district in the programme so that the people of the area could take benefit from it.