The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) are lagging far behind in terms of development indicators. With populations of circa 3 and 8 million respectively, they have fewer opportunities to participate in social and economic development compared to other parts of Pakistan. 97% of females and 72% of males are illiterate in FATA, and most lack access to basic public services. The gap between State and citizens affects the efficient delivery of public services. While decades-long conflicts affect local populations negatively, the constitutional status of FATA/PATA challenges the rule of law, which paves the ground to extremists.

Enhance democratic, gender-sensitive, responsive governance and support durable peace in FATA and PATA.

(1) Citizens (especially women, religious minorities and other marginalized groups) have better access to basic services (education, water, health) and economic opportunities through their effective dialogue with GLAs. (2) Communities contribute to non-violent conflict resolution at local level through self-initiatives (platforms, networks, committees). (3) FATA Secretariat and KPK Government (including their GLAs) developed and implemented institutional reforms and development plans to enhance public service delivery at local level (quality & quantity).

SAP-PK

Poor & marginalized communities (particularly youth, women, peasant workers, maliks, government officials, journalists, IDPs & civil society activists).

The South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP-PK), through its “Strengthening Democratic Governance Programme” (SDGP) has enabled farming communities to deal with their immediate problems through organized and institutionalized actions. The communities have gained better voice to influence the policies and decisions of local governments. SDGP linked the rural poor with government line agencies (GLAs), the market, and CSOs. Such linkages are now helping them in the form of better planning and policy making at local level. SDGP was also extended to FATA, providing SAP-PK with an entry point (through tribal networks and communities) in this conflict-hit region.