PPAF Launches AJ&K Local Area Development Programme to Drive Poverty Alleviation & Climate Resilience
Muzaffarabad (23 January 2025)
Muzaffarabad, January 23, 2025: The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has launched the AJ&K Local Area Development Programme, marking a significant step towards poverty alleviation and climate resilience in the region. The programme will be implemented in three districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir—Jehlum Valley, Haveli, and Neelum—in collaboration with PPAF’s partner organizations, Hamza Development Foundation and Basic Education Reform & Development Foundation (BERD). The initiative aims to empower communities through climate-smart strategies, laying the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest, joined by Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim, Minister for Food, Pir Mazhar Saeed, Minister for Information, Taqdees Gilani, Minister for Industry and Commerce, along with government officials, community leaders, media representatives, and other influential stakeholders.
Addressing the audience, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan emphasized, "This programme is a testament to PPAF's commitment to uplifting the underserved communities of Azad Jammu & Kashmir through innovative, sustainable, and inclusive approaches. The AJ&K Local Area Development Programme is not just a poverty alleviation effort, but a blueprint for empowering youth, strengthening climate resilience, and fostering sustainable development. By investing in such initiatives, we are creating a brighter, more resilient future for the region." He further assured the government's full support, saying, "The government is fully committed to creating opportunities for youth and marginalized communities across the country. Collaborations with organizations like PPAF serve as a model for sustainable development and social progress."
Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of PPAF, highlighted the organization's ongoing commitment to poverty alleviation, stating, "Since 2012, PPAF has invested over Rs. 954 million in the region, with support from Italy, Germany, and the World Bank. The current portfolio of Rs. 170 million focuses on addressing key challenges faced by the region, including climate-smart agriculture, capacity-building for youth and communities, cultural heritage restoration, disaster risk reduction, and promoting renewable energy solutions."
Pir Mazhar Saeed, Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim, and Taqdees Gilani, the Honourable Ministers, lauded the programme’s transformative potential, highlighting its relevance in addressing poverty, environmental vulnerabilities, and unemployment while fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
Presentations were delivered by Uzma Nomani, Manager at PPAF, Ulfat Bangash, CEO of Hamza Development Foundation, and Faiza Mir, Director Programmes at BERD, outlining the programme’s focus areas, including climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, renewable energy, and youth empowerment.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Tariq Mehmood Raja, CEO of BERD, who emphasized the crucial role of community-driven development in achieving long-term socio-economic progress.