GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan finance minister Javed Ali Manwa has said the government is committed to the region’s socioeconomic development and will support civil society organisations and community-based organisations for the purpose.

He was speaking to the Local Support Organisations Learning and Sharing Event organised by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) here in collaboration with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme.

Representatives of the relevant departments, civil society organisations and 22 LSOs from Astore, Ganche, Ghizer and Skurdu districts attended the event.

Minister Manwa appreciated the role of CSOs and CBOs for the region’s overall development and said his government recognised the contribution of the PPAF to support its development agenda.

“The PPAF has made partnership with the government, especially for bringing about a positive change in the lives of communities in underserved areas of Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.

The minister promised the PPAF all possible support for the successful execution of its projects for poverty alleviation through institutional building, promotion of education, and entrepreneurship development.

Earlier, PPAF group head (institution, integration and innovation) Irshad Khan Abbasi appreciate the initiative saying it will ensure ‘inclusive and participatory development’ of communities in development projects.

“Institutional building is considered a key factor in the success of any development initiative and therefore, we [PPAF] give special importance to the building and support of institutions at community level to enable them to steer the development process according to own choices and priorities,” he said.

Mr Abbasi promised support to the regional government for poverty alleviation, institutional building, ecotourism, enterprise development, and strengthening of local bodies.

PPAF senior general manager (institutions and integration) Tahir Malik highlighted the Tabeer-o-Tameer Fund project saying it is meant to empower and strengthen LSOs. During the event, the participants were briefed about the available support mechanisms to make the registration process easy and address operational challenges. The LSOs also put up stalls to display products made by villagers.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2021