Gwadar and Lasbela union councils have launched five-year Union Council Development Plans (UCDPs). Under the Gwadar Lasbela Livelihoods Support Project (GLLSP-II), these plans were formally handed over to the provincial government. The initiative is jointly financed by the Government of Pakistan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The UCDPs were developed after broad consultations with communities, government departments, and private sector partners. They present clear actions to meet local priorities, mobilise resources, and strengthen self-reliance. To ensure accountability, the Local Government and Rural Development Department and the Policy and Development Department will lead implementation and monitoring.
Speaking at the event, Local Government Secretary Abdul Rauf Baloch described the initiative as “a roadmap for inclusive rural development.” He emphasised that the government would allocate resources for execution and urged the preparation of similar plans for all rural union councils in Balochistan.
IFAD Country Director Fernanda Thomaz da Rocha called the effort “a major step” in amplifying rural voices. She explained that community-driven development in Balochistan builds both resilience and lasting opportunities for future generations.
Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Durra Baloch praised the unique way the plans align provincial development with local needs. Similarly, programme specialist Asif Lehri highlighted the role of the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) in supporting GLLSP-II. He noted that the project reduces poverty by strengthening livelihoods through grassroots planning and local governance.
He added that, for the first time in Balochistan’s history, government agencies and communities have worked together on planning and execution. The second phase of GLLSP-II will span six years and benefit more than 100,000 households across 40 union councils in Gwadar and Lasbela.
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