A total of 40 Union Council Development Plans (UCDPs) for the Gwadar and Lasbela districts have been officially handed over to the Government of Balochistan by the Gwadar-Lasbela Livelihoods Support Project Phase II (GLLSP-II). The project is jointly funded by the Government of Balochistan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
These five-year plans were developed through extensive collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and private sector partners. They outline targeted actions to address key development challenges, mobilize resources, and foster self-reliance within the region.
Abdul Rauf Baloch, Secretary of the Local Government Department, expressed his support for the initiative, describing the plans as a roadmap for inclusive rural development tailored to community-identified needs. He confirmed the government’s commitment to allocating resources for their implementation and suggested that similar plans should be expanded to all rural union councils across Balochistan.
Fernanda Thomaz da Rocha, IFAD’s Country Director for Pakistan, highlighted the long-term significance of the project. “This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between communities and government to achieve a shared vision for the future,” she said, emphasizing that community-driven development creates resilience and hope for generations to come.
The GLLSP-II, supported by the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), focuses on reducing poverty through grassroots planning and strengthening livelihoods. Asif Lehri, a Program Specialist, noted that this marks a historic achievement for Balochistan, as it is the first time such a participatory approach has been used for rural development planning and execution.
The second phase of the project, spanning six years, aims to benefit over 100,000 households across 40 union councils in Gwadar and Lasbela. By prioritizing social mobilization and strengthening local institutions, the project seeks to foster sustainable rural growth and improve the quality of life for communities in the region.
