ISLAMABAD, May 18: World Bank has asked people living in the rural areas of the federal capital to take full advantage of the micro credits being offered under the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).

Adolfo Brizzi, WB’s sector manager Agricultural and Rural Development, South Asia region, on Sunday visited Dhoke Tabarak Shaheed and Dhoke Ashraf on the outskirts of Islamabad where PPAF, through the National Rural Support Programme and the Human Development Foundation, has implemented an integrated area development programme.

While leading a delegation of national and international experts, Brizzi also interacted with members of the communities from Union Council Chirah and called upon them to utilise maximum the micro credits and other facilities being offered by PPAF to carve out a better future.

An integrated delivery of physical and social services in the form of clean drinking water, small-bore sewerage, waste water treatment and disposal, street surfacing and health and educational facilities have been provided to the residents under the first of its kind Dhoke Tabarak Shaheed Pilot Project, says a press release.

The PPAF has established these facilities through its partner organisations for over 800 beneficiaries of the village located off Lehtrar Road, some 25 kilometers from Islamabad. Completed at a cost of over Rs4 million with 20 per cent contribution from the community, the project is the manifestation of the deep-rooted impact of IAUP approach on poverty and vulnerability reduction and community empowerment, particularly with regards to women, the PPAF officials say.

Based on the demonstrated success of the pilot project, the World Bank is now supporting PPAF for implementation of a nationwide network of IAUPs.

Brizzi said as one of the largest projects of the WB, the PPAF was the lead institution for poverty reduction interventions in the country.

Set up as a fully autonomous private sector institution, the PPAF enjoyed facilitation and support from the government of Pakistan, the WB and other international donors.