50 Years of Partnership An Overview of Norway-Pakistan Development Cooperation (1969-2018)

Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad DISCLAIMER This report was completed with the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad. However, the author takes sole responsibility for the authenticity of its contents and no responsibility/liability whatsoever rests with the Royal Norwegian Embassy Islamabad for any omissions or statements made in this report.

This report presents a historical account of Norway's development cooperation with Pakistan, from 1969 to 2018. Each sector that Norway has supported in Pakistan during last 50 years has been addressed separately. Within each sector, the description includes an overview of the sector, challenges and a brief overview of projects funded by Norway, and the impacts thereof. Readers are advised not to interpret this report as an evaluation per se, as it has primarily been drawn on secondary reviews and information obtained from a select number of partners through meetings and telephone conversations.

Islamabad, 15 April 2019

Abdulaziz Usmani Consultant

(For feedback/comments: [email protected]) MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY, AMBASSADOR KJELL-GUNNAR ERIKSEN

This report presents a historical account of the 50 years of Norway's development cooperation with Pakistan, from 1969 to 2018. During these years, there are numerous areas where Norwegian assistance was extended to Pakistan through federal and provincial government agencies, national and international civil society organisations, the UN system, and multilateral banks. With over one billion human beings living in extreme poverty in the world, we consider it a global responsibility to help people in need, contribute to long-term development and move towards a more equitable world. This is what we aim and stand for and that is why the overall goal of the Norwegian development cooperation covers eradication of extreme poverty, women empowerment, ensuring good governance, respect for human rights and contributing to rights-based implementation of the SDGs.

Pakistan is a young and fast-growing nation, eager and impatient to move forward. Its potential is enormous, but there are also challenges where our assistance can contribute in creating a better future for Pakistan. Improving conditions for those in need, consolidating the growing democracy, building robust government institutions, and creating a level-playing field free from corruption, will benefit all of Pakistan.

Norway has provided financial assistance to Pakistan in response to the pressing needs in various sectors as identified by the Government of Pakistan. The Norwegian assistance focuses both on immediate results and impacts for contributing to the development for the future of Pakistan, while our work simultaneously supports Pakistan and Norway's shared social development objectives. This report provides an overview of Norway's continuous work over five decades to support social development in Pakistan.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge all those who have contributed in preparing this report. This report could not have been possible without the painstaking efforts and collective wisdom of Mr. Abdulaziz Usmani and our development team. I am grateful to all our collaborators and partners for this collective effort.

Islamabad, 15 April 2019

Kjell-Gunnar Eriksen Ambassador Royal Norwegian Embassy Islamabad ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I feel truly honoured to have been assigned the responsibility of documenting the trajectory of Norway's development assistance to Pakistan. It can rightly be termed as a 'farewell assignment', as I take it as a befitting goodbye gesture upon my departure after serving the Royal Norwegian Embassy, in Islamabad for almost 25 years. This assignment has provided me an opportunity to reflect upon the commencement and evolution of Norway's engagement in Pakistan’s socio-economic development, which will mark its 50th year in 2019. This report is the product of a team effort, including by staff at the Norwegian Embassy and by Norway's development partners. I am, therefore, grateful to everyone who has contributed in any way to finalizing this report.

I am particularly indebted to the former Norwegian Ambassador, H.E. Tore Nedrebø, as it was his idea to consolidate and document the Norway-Pakistan development partnership – to look at how Norway's development assistance has touched peoples' lives across Pakistan. I am personally indebted to him for trusting me to undertake this important assignment and for his thoughtful guidance and encouragement during the course of its completion.

I also take this opportunity to thank the incumbent Norwegian ambassador, H.E. Kjell-Gunnar Eriksen, for his stewardship and steering this important assignment towards its orderly completion.

I thank Mr Arne Haug (Head of Development) for his guidance and support. I am also grateful to Mr Jørn Wichne Pedersen (First Secretary) for acting as the focal point for this assignment, providing continued guidance and critical inputs to the report, and kindly taking responsibility for final editing and formatting of the report.

Many thanks to Ms Silje Kotte for providing access to the Embassy archives; and hearty thanks to members of the Embassy's development team, Mr Naufil Naseer and Mr Tanweer Sheikh, for their timely facilitation and support.

I also thank the representatives of Norway's development partners who very kindly took time out of their busy schedules to provide the information requested of them.

It was indeed a challenging, yet enriching experience, to undertake this assignment. It gave me a different perspective of the work of Norway's development partners, coupled with an opportunity to objectively assess the impact of their work. On a personal level, this assignment added to my confidence and enabled deeper reflection on the Embassy's development partnerships with the Government of Pakistan, the UN system, multilateral banks, and civil society organisations.

Islamabad, 15 April 2019

Abdulaziz Usmani Consultant/Former Programme Advisor Royal Norwegian Embassy Islamabad TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 1 BACKGROUND ...... 5 1.1 SECTOR-WISE IMPACTS/KEY RESULTS ...... 6 2 PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS ...... 16 2.1 COMMODITY/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ...... 16 2.2 ENERGY SECTOR ...... 17 2.3 EDUCATION SECTOR ...... 20 2.4 GOOD GOVERNANCE SECTOR ...... 30 2.5 HUMAN RIGHTS SECTOR ...... 39 2.6 HEALTH SECTOR ...... 52 2.7 CULTURE SECTOR ...... 54 2.8 ENVIRONMENT SECTOR ...... 62 2.9 PEACE AND RECONCILIATION SECTOR ...... 67 2.10 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR)/DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT (DRM) SECTOR ...... 71 2.11 MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS ...... 76 3 CONCLUSION / FINDINGS ...... 79

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As we mark 50 years of development cooperation between Norway and Pakistan, this report charts the trajectory of their partnership, from its beginning in 1969 to 2018. The central aim of this report is to understand more clearly Norway’s impressive contribution to socio-economic progress in Pakistan, and to highlight how Norway's assistance has touched peoples' lives across Pakistan. Norwegian development assistance to Pakistan began with the provision of commodity and technical assistance, before evolving to project and, ultimately, to programme support. Over the years, Norway’s support has diversified both in terms of the sectors it has supported, and in its portfolio of development partners – from the Government to national/international non- governmental organisations (NGOs), UN agencies and multilateral institutions.

According to official statistics, Norway has provided more than NOK 4.9 billion to Pakistan since 1969 (approximately USD 570 million/PKR 80 billion). However, Norway's support to Pakistan through the UN core funds and other international channels – such as co-financing projects with other donors – is over and above this bilateral assistance.

As of the 1980s, cooperation evolved from commodity assistance to project support, before evolving still further into programme support from the early 1990s onward. Throughout this period, Norway placed greater emphasis on building capacities of Pakistani institutions and its assistance underpinned by capacity/competence-building services for several key Pakistani institutions working in the fields of communications, livelihoods, energy, governance, education, culture, environment, health, peace and reconciliation, disaster relief, institutional cooperation, women’s economic empowerment and business enterprise development. Throughout, gender equity has been a cross-cutting theme.

From the outset, Norway kept its geographic focus limited, with a view to achieving optimal results. Thus, for most of the period covered, northern Pakistan including the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been the major focus of Norwegian assistance. Nevertheless, Norway’s geographic focus on the north has evolved gradually and Norway has provided significant support for development projects in other parts of Pakistan – including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the (erstwhile) Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Norwegian development cooperation accords priority to supporting projects that bolster the Government of Pakistan's endeavours to achieve its national targets, while contributing to fulfilling its international obligations. Throughout the past five decades, Norway has provided assistance in response to needs identified by Pakistani institutions. This approach has earned Norway pride of place among bilateral donors vis-à-vis Government of Pakistan and the donor community. In line with the Paris Declaration, Norway has always been an active proponent of donor coordination. It has played a lead role in supporting the international donor coordination agenda as a member (and funder) of donor coordination groups such as the Inter-Agency Gender & Development Group (INGAD), the Education Donor Partners Group, the Election Support Group (ESG), the Good Governance Working Group (GGWG) and the Anti-Corruption Action Group (ACAG), among others. Norway has always been an active supporter of the donor coordination agenda by co-financing projects with other donors – from Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark in the past, to more recent collaborations with the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the Asian Development Bank Fund for Disaster Relief.

Norway’s assistance has primarily focused on poverty alleviation and institutional development through capacity building of partners – with a view to enabling them to sustain and scale-up interventions for achieving sustainable results. The Norwegian approach by working directly and/or indirectly with Pakistani institutions has resulted in a number of success stories across a range of 2 sectors, whereby local institutions have been equipped with the capacity needed to take responsibility and scale up the results achieved with Norway’s assistance. Norway's support has also contributed in creating opportunities for women and other vulnerable groups to play their part in national development. For this purpose, Norway has actively promoted needs-based development, coupled with recipient responsibility, and gender equality as cross-cutting factors. By forging lasting partnerships with Pakistani institutions, Norway's bilateral assistance programme has resulted in trailblazer achievements in a range of sectors, such as:  energy (hydropower stations in northern Pakistan, particularly Gilgit and Tangir, the Northern Areas Hydroelectric Workshop and the Water and Power Development Authority’s (WAPDA) power line carrier system);  telecommunications (Pakistan Telephone & Telegraph [PT&T] and National Logistics Cell [NLC]);  commodity/technical assistance (fertilizer, equipment for WAPDA, PT&T, printing paper for North-West Frontier Province [NWFP; renamed as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KP] Textbook Board);  education (primary, technical/vocational, education infrastructure, institutional development, sport & play-based education and other forms of inclusive education);  health (population planning, HIV/AIDS interventions and maternal and child health, with a focus on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 ‘reduce child mortality’ and 5 ‘improve maternal health’);  rural development (the Chitral project, Gilgit-Baltistan [GB] forestry project, income generation and economic development interventions in northern areas);  good governance (police training, support for electoral processes, and the Human Rights Study Centre at University of Peshawar);  culture (support for built-heritage, the performing arts, and cultural exchange);  disaster risk reduction/disaster risk management (DRR/DRM) (support for institutional/ infrastructure development, community-based / local government trainings);  multi-sector institutional cooperation between Norwegian and Pakistani institutions (exchange of knowledge and technical know-how in areas such as meteorology, research-based treatment of cancer, pesticide-resistant seeds, inclusive education, establishment of degree programmes in petroleum and surveying in cooperation with Norwegian universities).  enterprise development (business match-making between Norwegian and Pakistani enterprises);  peace and reconciliation (support for interfaith harmony and mainstreaming militant elements);  the environment (the Cleaner Production Centre in Sialkot, Punjab; University of Peshawar- NORAGRIC cooperation, International Union for Conservation of Nature [IUCN]);  women’s rights (as a champion of women’s rights, Norway actively participates in supporting women’s rights forums, such as Inter Agency Gender and Development (INGAD), and commits to highlighting the importance of women’s rights through all of its projects by addressing gender as a cross-cutting theme). As a champion of women's rights, Norway has accorded high priority to promoting gender equality in Pakistan as a cross-cutting theme in all its development cooperation projects/programmes. How the Norwegian assistance contributes to highlighting gender issues is carefully assessed from the

3 appraisal to the evaluation phase. Verifiable evidence is available in this report which confirms that Norway-funded projects have contributed to creating awareness of women's rights by underscoring the need for a women-inclusive legislative and policy environment, and provision of equal opportunities in the socio-economic arena. Support to UN-WOMEN, Aurat Foundation, Shirkat Gah, and the World Bank MDTF, are a few examples of Norway's commitment to promoting gender equality. The same was manifested through the support to the KP education sector. The MDTF has reached out to approximately 4.7 million women, manifested through following examples: of the 602 community-based organizations (CBOs) established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 127 are female-only CBOs. Women make up 21% (over 4,000) of the total membership of 19,526; women constituted 37% of economic interest groups (EIGs) established in KP; 2,500 women of Khar benefitted from rehabilitated roads, provision of household water, and solid waste management. Work of AGHS Legal Aid Cell, Shirkat Gah, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Aurat Foundation, HomeNet Pakistan, and Rozan in their respective domains have made significant contribution to gender equality by providing legal aid to women; highlighting women-related social, economic, and legal issues; promoting a pro-women legal environment through lobbying with legislators, creating favourable policy environment for women domestic workers, and sensitising and training police force in handling women domestic violence victims.

In view of Pakistan's peculiar socio-cultural context, Norway has forayed into areas unconventional for development assistance programmes and has supported mainstreaming madrassa education as part of its education support to KP education department; it has also supported inter-/intra-faith harmony efforts through the Wafaq-ul-Madaris al-Arabia Pakistan.

While aligning its interventions with Pakistan's national development agenda, Norway has also ensured that its work remains in sync with the international development goals, which Pakistan is also committed to, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The overall aim of Norway's development assistance to Pakistan dovetails with SDG-1 'End poverty in all its forms everywhere'; SDG-2 'Zero Hunger', was addressed during earlier years of cooperation by provision of fertilizer; Norway's special health initiative, NPPI (Norway-Pakistan Partnership Initiative), in Sindh took care of SDG-3, 'Good Health and Wellbeing'; Norway's contribution to education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern Areas, Punjab and Sindh through KP education department, Right To Play, Aga Khan Education Services, UNICEF as well as technical education through GIZ across Pakistan addresses the SDG-4 'inclusive and equitable quality education for all…' as well as SDG-8 ' sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all'; Norway's contribution to SDG-7 'affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy…' marks one of the success stories inked by Norway's partnership with Pakistan; under Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation Programme, Norway has contributed to SDG-14, 'Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development'; Contribution to SDG-16, 'peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions', a somewhat unconventional area, is manifested through Norway's support to creating inter-/intra-faith harmony in Pakistan;

These are just a few examples of the myriad projects funded through Norway’s generosity – they give a glimpse of the results achieved in partnership with Pakistani institutions - thanks to Norway’s invaluable assistance. In recent years, Norway's aid portfolio in Pakistan has witnessed downward revisions. While Norway's assistance to Pakistan is likely to continue in the foreseeable future, its modalities may change in view of changing priorities on the Pakistani and/or Norwegian side. However, bringing to light the profound impacts of such initiatives can provide Norway with an impetus to continue to build its future portfolio in light of its splendid cooperation in the past.

4 BACKGROUND Diplomatic relations between Norway and Pakistan were established on 18 December 1948, just one year after Pakistan was founded. In 1969, Norway established its development assistance programme for Pakistan. Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division (EAD) represented the country’s federal and provincial governments, while the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) acted on behalf of the Norwegian Government through its office in Islamabad until 31 December 1994. After this, the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs took over the responsibility for development aid administration.

Since its foundation, the Norway-Pakistan bilateral aid programme has primarily focused on addressing the needs identified by the Pakistani side. Norway's aid programme began with the provision of commodity assistance, before gradually evolving into projects and, ultimately, to programme support. Over the years, its portfolio of partners has also diversified – from government representatives to national/international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), United Nations (UN) agencies and multilateral institutions. As a donor, Norway’s financial assistance has been relatively modest. As a result, it has kept its geographic focus limited, with a view to achieving optimal results from the assistance provided. For most of the period covered, Norway has concentrated its activities in the northern Pakistan, including the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). However, Norway has also supported development projects in other parts of the country, including Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, Azad (Pakistan-administered) Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the (erstwhile) Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). In 2019, it is safe to say that Norway’s geographic focus on northern Pakistan is now over.

In response to the priorities identified BOX 1 by the Government of Pakistan, UN Starting in 1969, Norway's development assistance to Pakistan agencies and national/international has focused on a variety of sectors, such as:  Energy NGO partners, Norway has supported  Telecommunication projects in multiple sectors, such as  Commodity/technical assistance those highlighted in Box 1.  Education (including technical & vocational)  Health (especially maternal and child health) Norway has always actively supported  Rural development the international donor coordination  Good governance agenda as a member (and funder) of  Culture donor coordination groups such as  Disaster risk management/disaster risk reduction  INGAD, the Education Donor Partners Institutional cooperation  Enterprise development Group, the Election Support Group  Peace and reconciliation (ESG), the Good Governance Working  The environment Group (GGWG) and the Anti-Corruption  Women’s rights Action Group (ACAG), among others. Norway’s support also encompasses co-financing projects with other donors. Past partners include Switzerland, the Netherlands and Denmark. More recently, projects have been co-financed with the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the Asian Development Bank Fund for Disaster Relief.

Norway believes that its development cooperation should act as a catalyst in line with the Government of Pakistan's initiatives to socio-economically uplift people, while helping Pakistan to achieve internationally agreed targets such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

5 Norway has consistently prioritised working with national/provincial governments and civil society organisations, with a view to using its limited resources to enable these institutions to take responsibility for the continuity and sustainability of results achieved with Norwegian support.

1.1 SECTOR-WISE IMPACTS/KEY RESULTS

This section provides an overview of how Norway’s development cooperation has contributed to socio-economic development in Pakistan. As noted above, Norway’s grant assistance has been provided in response to needs identified by Pakistani institutions during annual bilateral consultations with their Norwegian counterparts. This approach has earned Norway a prided place among bilateral donors to Pakistan vis-à-vis the Government of Pakistan, as well as the donor community.

The section captures sector-wise brief BOX 2 impacts/key results produced by Norway's Sustainability lies at the core of Norway's development development assistance to Pakistan between approach. With the underlying aim of ensuring sustainability, 1969 to 2018 through various Norway uses its development assistance to build technical/ human capacity in Pakistan. Just a few examples of successful, projects/programmes implemented by the sustainable initiatives funded by Norway include: federal/provincial government agencies directly as well as in collaboration with national/  1.2 MW hydropower stations, one each in Tangir, international NGOs, the UN system, and Hasanabad and Kargah and a workshop in Gilgit for refurbishing turbines and the multilateral banks. Norway’s approach to repair/maintenance of other equipment. All three working directly and/or indirectly with Pakistani power stations are functional, while the workshop institutions has been central to producing a has been upgraded to cater to the needs of 120 number of success stories where host institutions power stations functioning across Gilgit-Baltistan  The Cleaner Production Centre Chrome Recovery have subsequently taken responsibility and Plan, and Leather Products Development Institute scaled up the results achieved. Box 2 highlights in Sialkot, Punjab, that now provides state-of-the some prominent success stories – from art leather quality assurance services to tanneries hydropower stations in Gilgit-Baltistan, to and paved towards the creation of a Sialkot support to leather industry in Sialkot, human Tannery Zone to relocate all tanneries out of the busy industrial city rights education, heritage conservation in Gilgit-  The Human Rights Study Centre at the University Baltistan and teacher training and infrastructure of Peshawar, KP, the bastion of human rights support in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As these cases education in Pakistan; illustrate, by forging lasting partnerships  The rehabilitation/conservation of Baltit Fort, Altit between Norwegian and Pakistani institutions, Fort and Ganesh village in Hunza, and Shigar and Khaplu Palace in the Baltistan region, in the Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation partnership with the Aga Khan Cultural Service Programme has resulted in trailblazer Pakistan (AKCSP) achievements in fields such as inclusive  The construction of 250 Local Circle Offices (LCOs) education, metrology, the research-based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that are serving as teacher training facilities for their respective treatment of cancer, pesticide-resistant seeds, clusters of 80-100 schools and establishment of degree programmes in petroleum and surveying in cooperation with Norwegian universities.

These are just a few examples of the myriad projects funded through Norway’s generosity – they give a glimpse of the results achieved by Pakistani institutions with Norway’s invaluable assistance. Bringing to light the profound impacts/key results of such initiatives can provide Norway with an impetus to continue to build its future portfolio in light of its splendid cooperation with Pakistan in the past.

6 With this introduction, the readers are welcome to delve deeper into the sector-wise impacts and key results identified by this study, in order to understand more clearly Norway’s impressive contribution to socio-economic progress in Pakistan:

Commodity/Technical Assistance

Key Partners: Ministry of Food & Agriculture, NWFP Textbook Board, National Logistic Cell, Pakistan Telephone & Telegraph.

Norway’s commodity and technical assistance has entailed the provision of fertilizers, printing paper, and radio link equipment. Its assistance has contributed to increased food security and the improved efficiency of key national institutions in Pakistan. Training provided to relevant staff of the NWFP Textbook Board, for example, yielded a pool of capable human resources equipped to effectively make the most of commodity assistance and sustain its benefits over the long-term.

Energy Generation and Transmission

Key Partners: Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Northern Areas Public Works Department

In view of endemic energy shortage in Pakistan, Norway's supply of equipment to enhance WAPDA’s transmission capacity is estimated to have improved WAPDA's efficiency. Its assistance package also included training for staff on operations and maintenance – two vital components for ensuring sustainability.

With Norway’s support, three hydropower stations (each of 1.2 MW capacity) in Gilgit, Hunza, and Tangir are now functional and providing cheap, clean, much-needed electricity to 6,000 households – approximately 48,000 people (pretty much the population of Norway's 10th biggest city, Tønsberg). This project has had a profound impact on beneficiary communities in terms of longer hours for businesses, more comfortable learning environments in schools, convenient domestic water supplies – entailing an additional boost for sanitation and hygiene which reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases – and a better living environment overall. The project has benefitted women and children in particular. In tandem, the Northern Areas Hydroelectric Workshop (NAHEW), set up with Norwegian assistance, not only continues to function, but is also providing timely repairs and maintenance services to a total of 127 hydropower stations across the Gilgit-Baltistan region – thus, increasing the cost-benefit ratio by a staggering 300%.

Education

Key Partners: KP Elementary & Secondary Education Department, NWFP Textbook Board, Allama Iqbal Open University, World Bank, Aga Khan Education Service, National Education Foundation, UNICEF-Pakistan, GIZ-National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC)

Norway's assistance for Pakistan’s education sector has prioritized access and the quality of basic education, primarily for girls. This assistance has contributed to human resource development, infrastructure development and impressive innovations in the education sector.

Norway’s work with the education sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has left its mark in the form of 250 Local Circle Offices (LCOs) constructed in selected schools all over the province. Equipped with state- of-the-art audio-visual equipment, these LCOs continue to serve as hubs for teacher trainings for their catchment areas, each covering a cluster of 80-100 schools. Women teachers from remote regions have benefitted more from attending trainings at their convenience, without having to travel long distances to participate in the trainings. This is especially significant in a country like Pakistan,

7 where women in many areas face severe restrictions on their mobility – providing easily accessible training is a lifeline for women education professionals and a boon to education in the province.

In 2014, its focus shifted to technical/vocational education. In 1991, the assistance to the then NWFP Textbook Board (now known as the KP Textbook Board) contributed to institutional development through human resource development and the provision of quality printing paper for developing and producing quality school books. Support for Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad involved training for 51,116 primary school teachers, 2,500 tutors and 250 senior tutors across Pakistan. By co-financing, with the World Bank, the Sindh Primary Education Development Programme in 1990 through the Sindh Education Department, Norway contributed to improved learning outcomes and access to primary education, especially for girls in some of the poorest parts of Pakistan. This assistance reached out to 26,000 children, 50% of whom were girls – directly improving tens of thousands of lives, and indirectly improving thousands more.

Similarly, Norway’s support for the Aga Khan Education Service-Pakistan (AKES-P) in 1996 contributed to increased access, reduced drop-out rates and the better infrastructure and quality of primary/secondary education in selected districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. This assistance placed special emphasis on girls and even provided scholarships for their continued education in Pakistan’s higher secondary institutions.

In 2002, the National Education Foundation (NEF) received Norway's support to establish and run 350 community schools in all seven agencies of the (erstwhile) Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). This project benefitted approximately 21,000 out-of-school children and generated employment for 700 teachers – 50% of whom were women. In 2003, Norway provided assistance to the KP Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DE&SE) for the implementation of the Basic Education Improvement Project (BEIP). This project left a lasting impact on the KP education sector by training approximately 27,000 school managers and 4,400 primary teachers as ‘mentor teachers’. Its continued impact and lasting legacy were also assured by reactivating parent-teacher councils (PTCs), providing infrastructure support and training instructors to teach science subjects in 118 madrassas (Islamic seminaries), constructing 250 Local Circles Offices (LCOs) used as teacher training hubs, as noted above. An additional grant of NOK 30 million, provided to KP Department of Elementary & Secondary Education in 2010 for the reconstruction/rehabilitation of 137 girl’s schools in nine flood-hit districts of KP, contributed to increasing access to education in hard-to- reach areas, on the one hand, and ensuring a congenial learning environment for girls, on the other.

In 2003, Norway provided NOK 33 million to UNICEF Pakistan for the implementation of the Universal Quality Primary Education (UqPE) project in six districts of Punjab. This project contributed to increasing access and the quality of education in six districts of Punjab by establishing child- friendly schools, the capacity building of officials, and institution building. Given its success, this experience was later replicated in another 12 districts without Norway's support – a testament to the sustainable impact of Norway-funded projects, which have created such a strong base that they can be sustained after specific projects come to a close. In 2008, Right To Play Pakistan (RTP) received Norwegian funding which was used to introduce an innovative approach, using play and sports as a tool to support increased access to and improve the quality of education in parts of Pakistan. Since 2008, the organisation has implemented two projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Sindh.

Norway financed the World Bank's Multi-Donor Support Unit-Social Action Programme (MSU-SAP) in 2001 to improve the delivery of social services. It also provided funding to the Asian Development Bank in 1994 to improve enrolment and the quality of education at the primary level in the province of Sindh. Since the 1970s, Norway has offered scholarships to Pakistani public officials under the

8 Norad Fellowship Programme for Master’s level studies. Moreover, short courses at the International Summer School of the University of Oslo are open to all.

In 2014, Norway joined the donor consortium that supports the government-led Pakistan Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Reform Support Programme (TRSP). This programme is helping national/provincial TVET institutions to revamp the sector in line with international standards – a much needed boon to ensure that Pakistan’s rapidly growing youth population can secure the skills required to enter and thrive in the work market, rather than fall prey to unemployment, underemployment or labour migration. This is really a driver for donors as there is a need to promote employment in the developing world (both as a matter of rights/social justice) and because it means fewer migrants who are likely to migrate to country's with large Pakistani diasporas. The TRSP is being implemented by the German development agency, GIZ, in close cooperation with NAVTTC at federal and TEVTAs at provincial level.

Good Governance

Key Partners: UNDP, UN Women, National Democratic Institute (NDI), The Asia Foundation (TAF), SUNGI Development Foundation, ROZAN, Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment (DTCE), UN Office for Drug Control (UNODC), World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF)

Governance, with a special emphasis on democratization and human rights, remains one of the priority areas for Norway's assistance to Pakistan. This support has focused on improving electoral processes, local and community-based governance, gender-sensitive policing, alongside human and technical competence building in public sector and civil society institutions in Pakistan.

Between 2002 and 2014, Norway provided approximately NOK 72 million to UNDP, UN Women, NDI and The Asia Foundation for improving electoral processes, voter education and participation, particularly of women, by working with the Election Commission of Pakistan as well as legislators and political parties. Sungi Development Foundation (2002-2012) received NOK 20 million for promoting local and community governance through community mobilization in the Hazara district. Another NOK 40 million was provided to Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment (DTCE) in 2002 to strengthen the nascent local government system. Rozan (1999–2015) received NOK 6.8 million for the institutionalization of gender sensitive response by police officials to cases related to gender-based violence (GBV). UNODC received NOK 17 million (2011-19) for police capacity development in crime scene investigation skills, intelligence and operations in selected districts of Punjab.

The Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) of the World Bank received NOK 35 million for improving institutional governance, livelihoods and improved services across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Another initiative, the Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation Framework, received NOK 40 million (2005-2016) for financing joint projects between Pakistani and Norwegian public institutions, covering areas like digital surveying, seismology, educational and livelihood research, metrology, geology and petroleum, among others. This initiative has significantly contributed towards improving the performance of partner institutions across Pakistan – a testament to the sustainability and long-term impacts of Norway’s development cooperation and its focus on building local capacities for good governance.

Human Rights

Key Partners: UN Women, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Sahil, AGHS Legal Aid Cell

Norway’s assistance has contributed to strengthening human rights organisations and research institutions in the public and civil society sector in Pakistan – a vital boost for their ability to 9 champion basic rights in a country where such support is sorely needed. With Norway’s support, Pakistani partners have been able to promote gender equality, work to reduce gender-based violence, strengthen national and civil society institutions and create an enabling legal environment for mainstreaming women’s and children’s rights in the development agenda of Pakistan’s federal/provincial governments. For instance, Norway’s support has been indispensable to the creation of the seminal Human Rights Study Centre at the University of Peshawar.

Health Sector

Key Partners: UNFPA, UNAIDS, UNICEF, IDRAK Development Foundation, Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan (AKHSP)

From 1975-1979, Norway's support to the National Population Planning Programme of Pakistan, through UNFPA, contributed to the expansion and running of approximately 1,300 family planning centres across Pakistan. This focus on family planning is indispensable for Pakistan, whose exponential population growth has seen its population grow from an estimated 33.7 million at the time of its creation in 1947, to 208 million in 2017 according to the National Census 2017 – a rate of growth that poses severe challenges for services, development and poverty reduction. UNAIDS received NOK 7.5 million (1993-2001) to support the Government of Pakistan to formulate a national action plan for HIV/AIDS, while raising awareness among the general public. The Norway-Pakistan Partnership Initiative (NPPI) was piloted as part a special initiative launched by a former Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, to support maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) in three countries (the focus of MDGs 4 and 5). In Pakistan, the NPPI was launched in 10 districts of Sindh in 2008, piloting a number of innovative MNCH service delivery models. It left a legacy of success stories for the Sindh Government to emulate. The NPPI was also the first programme implemented under the One UN Programme in Pakistan – thus contributing to enhancing the effectiveness and coordination of work by UN agencies in the country.

In 2014, the IDRAK Development Foundation received NOK 5.7 million to research and raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SHRH) in 32 public health centres, 32 communities, 10 public/private sector universities and 25 public/private sector schools/colleges in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan received NOK 2.35 million for the rehabilitation and insulation of the Tehsil (sub-district) Headquarters (THQ) Hospital in Garamchashma, located in the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With improved facilities, this hospital is now able to treat scores of patients, especially women, from Garamchashma and adjoining areas, who had previously had to make the arduous trek to the city of Chitral for treatment. It also serves as a public-private partnership model between the KP Health Department and AKHS-P – a model that serves as a solid best practice for others to emulate.

Culture Sector

Key Partners: UNESCO, Department of Archaeology & Museums, Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCSP), Lok Virsa, Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Iqbal Academy, AJOKA Theatre, Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop

Norway's support to Pakistan’s culture sector has focused on contributing to poverty alleviation through the restoration of built heritage, promoting the performing arts and increasing cultural exchange between Norway and Pakistan. Support for the restoration/conservation of historical sites, forts/palaces and Mosques in northern Pakistan and central Punjab has contributed to poverty alleviation by bolstering the local economies of project areas through increased tourism. It has also promoted use of local construction materials, revived dying arts/crafts, spearheaded communal harmony and enhanced people's pride in their rich cultural heritage and its importance. Support for

10 the performing arts has also contributed to the revival of local/national festivals and theatre performances in different parts of the country – forms of cultural expression that champion tolerance, creativity and openness. Norway’s support has also helped to harness local/national talent, even taking some of this to the international level. In turn, this has contributed to promoting north-south cross-cultural understanding, cooperation, harmony, a more positive image of Pakistan – both abroad and among Pakistanis themselves.

With Norway’s support, UNESCO Pakistan restored Shish Mahal in Lahore Fort, a World Heritage site declared ‘in danger’. The project also established a Conservation Lab and developed a Master Plan for the Conservation of Lahore Fort, which is being used to date to safeguard parts of humanity’s priceless cultural heritage.

Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCSP) received more than NOK 60 million between 1993-2017 to restore Baltit Fort, Shigar Fort Palace, Khaplu Palace, Hunza Villages (Karimabad, Ganesh, Altit); Shahi Hammam (Royal Saloon) and the Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore’s walled city. It has also used these funds for the ongoing digital mapping of key parts of Lahore Fort including restoration of the 400-year old and world's largest picture wall, a vital process for protecting and promoting this World Heritage Site. Norway’s contributions have paved way for the promotion of tourism and cultural activities in Lahore’s walled city, with the promise of attendant economic and social benefits for communities which cultural tourism promises.

Norwegian support helped Lok Virsa (2006-2011) promote cross-cultural understanding through cultural exchange, while building Lok Virsa's institutional capacity. The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) trained young boys and girls as theatre actors and organized performances across Pakistan. The Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop promoted dying art of puppetry, established a Museum of Puppetry and organized national/international festivals. Ajoka Theatre staged theatre plays across Pakistan, while the Iqbal Academy published a number of print publications and documentaries on Sufi thoughts of Pakistan’s national poet, Allam Muhammad Iqbal.

Norway's support to the environment sector in Pakistan has made tangible contributions to natural resource management, institutional development, policy reforms and institutional cooperation. For instance, Norway co-financed, with the Government of Pakistan, the creation of the Cleaner Production Centre (CPC) in Sialkot. This landmark centre has significantly increased the efficiency of tanneries, curbing potentially harmful environmental impacts and providing employment opportunities, especially for women workers. Norway’s support for this project has led to creation of three entities contributing to cleaner technologies and practices in Sialkot’s export-oriented leather tanning industry – namely the Cleaner Production Centre (CPC), the Chrome Recovery Plant (CRP) and the Leather Products Development Institute (LPDI). This project has proved to be a trailblazer for the Sialkot tanning industry. The CPC testing lab is providing testing solutions, the Chrome Recovery Plant is extracting chrome from waste water and processing it for re-use by the industry, while the LPDI is training necessary human resources (8,000 graduates, 70% of whom are women) for the leather industry in Sialkot. These factors led to the establishment of Sialkot Tannery Zone, with an investment of NOK 2.5 billion (approximately PKR 30 billion) by the Government of Punjab. This project also represents a successful example of public-private partnership, as its Advisory Committee included members from public agencies such as the Export Promotion Bureau, Leather Industry Development Organisation, the Economic Affairs Division and the Ministries of the Environment and Commerce as well as from private sector such as Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PGMEA).

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) received multiple grants under the Norad Framework Agreement (NFA) mechanism between 1995 and 2004. IUCN's work contributed to vastly improving Pakistan’s environmental policy framework – the cornerstone of environmental 11 sustainability. IUCN formulated a plethora of regional conservation strategies and environmentally- friendly development plans, and, with Norway’s support, developed the Northern Areas Conservation Strategy (NACS). Norwegian assistance also contributed to the formulation of landmark environmental legislation in Pakistan. Most notably, it led to the enactment of the Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997 and the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS).

The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) received NOK 21 million (1997-2007) to create income generation opportunities, especially for women, through better natural resource management in Gilgit-Baltistan. AKRSP has done extensive plantation, built 75 irrigation channels, constructed 26 protective works and implemented 29 land terracing projects, in Baltistan. This initiative unleashed enormous direct and indirect income opportunities in the area, contributing to poverty alleviation with a gender-sensitive focus. Norway also funded AKCSP’s implementation of a three-year community-based sanitation programme in Karimabad, Hunza (1994-1996). This was a ground-breaking initiative as it provided residents with modern, civic facilities while maintaining the traditional outlook of their homes and area. In view of vivid benefits of this project, the Government of Japan reportedly provided additional funds to extend the scope of this initiative to adjacent areas of Karimabad.

Norway supported the Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF) to work for the conservation of Deosai National Park (DNP), framing legislation and handing the park over to the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Department. Institutional cooperation between the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Peshawar (UoP) and NORAGRIC – later renamed as the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) – involved the provision of NOK 2 million (1996-98) to build the competence of university teachers through exchange visits, trainings and taking Pakistani environmentalists to Norway to complete degree programmes.

Peace and Reconciliation Sector

Key Partners: Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), UN Women, UNDP, PAIMAN Alumni Trust

Norway has supported pivotal efforts to create inter-faith and intra-faith understanding and harmony in Pakistan. It provided NOK 11.3 million to Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) during 2005-2014 for this purpose. Norwegian Church AID also received NOK 7.7 million in 2014-2016 to implement the Just and Sustainable Peace in Pakistan project. Another commitment was made for NOK 9 million for Phase II of this project (2017-2020) – an important means of promoting peace, tolerance and understanding in a country sometimes beset by religious and ethnic strife.

UN Women (2009-2013) received NOK 17 million (with co-financing from the Government of the Netherlands) to aid the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The project contributed to the elaboration of seminal new laws to curb gender-based violence, safeguard women’s rights and promote gender equality – namely the Prevention of Anti- Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2011, the Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act (2011) and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012 for Islamabad Capital Territory.

UNDP (2015-2017) received NOK 22.50 million to promote social cohesion in the (erstwhile) Federally Administered Tribal Areas and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – areas affected by counter- militant operations and long-term crisis/conflict in recent years. Norway also provided NOK 6.7 million to the PAIMAN Alumni Trust to initiate a prominent peace building and conflict transformation project in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan and Swat, including Khyber Agency in FATA.

12 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)/Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Sector

Key Partners: SUNGI Development Foundation (Sungi), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Action Against Hunger (ACF)-Pakistan, FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance/Aga Khan Foundation, UN Women

Norway has been a generous donor to disaster risk reduction and humanitarian aid in Pakistan. Key recipients include Sungi for rehabilitation activities in the village of Dadar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in 2001. Sungi also received NOK 5 million for humanitarian assistance to persons affected by 2005’s calamitous earthquakes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in 2006-2007. UNOCHA received NOK 5.6 million to develop the capacities of public officials, an initiative organized by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM); it also built institutional capacity of NIDM to serve as a premier training facility in future. ACF-Pakistan received multiple grants from 2011 to 2016, worth a total of NOK 25.5 million, to implement community-based risk reduction projects and help to develop a roadmap for disaster risk management (2014-2019) for the Government of KP. FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance – an arm of the Aga Khan Foundation – received NOK 7.8 million for projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and Thatta (2012-2014). These enhanced DRR/DRM capacity at the communities as well as district and provincial levels. Another NOK 3.5 million was provided to UN Women to fund the creation of a vital Gender & Child Cell within the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in 2010 – thereafter, a champion of protection and empowerment for women, children and other vulnerable groups.

Norway’s support for partners in the DRR/DRM sector has contributed significantly to augmenting community-based response and management skills through training, institutional development and capacity building across Pakistan, while working with government institutions, communities, and academia. Their work has, in nutshell, enhanced the capacity and competence of communities and government officials to respond effectively to disaster situations – capacities that save countless lives and livelihoods across Pakistan.

Miscellaneous Projects

Key Partners: Export Promotion Bureau (EPB)/Government of Pakistan, NGO Resource Centre/Aga Khan Foundation, Teachers Resource Centre/Aga Khan University, Mahbubul Haq Human Development Centre, P&D Division/Government of Pakistan, THRIVE, AKCSP.

Norway has also funded a range of projects which do not fall under one particular priority area of Norwegian development cooperation. Instead, these cross-cut into more than one sectors, such as poverty alleviation, institutional capacity building, education, health, human development, research, gender equality, business development between Norway and Pakistan, and women’s economic empowerment. A brief overview of these projects is as follows:

1) The Pakistani-Norwegian Enterprise Cooperation Programme, with an allocation of NOK 3.2 million, established a mechanism to promote cooperation between Norwegian and Pakistani enterprises. The goal of this project was "increased commercial and technical cooperation between Norway and Pakistan". This mechanism facilitated a number of partnerships between Norwegian and Pakistan business enterprises; however, the Norwegian Government discontinued the programme when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests on 28 May 1998. Pakistani partner implemented this project in cooperation with NB Partners AS, Norway. Support worth NOK 1.3 million to the NGO Resource Centre, Aga Khan Foundation, strengthened the role of NGOs and the quality of their work through improved competence, from 1992-1995 – with lasting effects on Pakistan’s civil society. The Teachers’ Resource Centre, 13 Aga Khan University, Karachi received NOK 300,000 to enhance the capacity of women teachers in state schools for girls in Karachi. It trained 250 teachers, 20 workshop leaders and 20 supervisors – boosting their capacity to ensure that girls receive quality education.

2) From 2002 to 2011, the Mahbub-ul-Haq Human Development Centre (MHDC), with Norway's co- financing of NOK 4.7 million, published annual South Asia Human Development Reports. These reports contributed to highlighting pressing human development issues in the South Asia region and drawing the attention of policy-makers and respective governments toward solving them. The Centre published and launched this report in all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.

3) THRIVE received NOK 50 million to implement Chitral Integrated Area Development Programme (CIADP) between 2009-15. It implemented an integrated programme by engaging local community organisations and successfully demonstrated a practical and effective model of ‘public-private partnership’ for lasting social impact. It produced valuable learnings around partnership management, which helped Norway improve partnership choices and management practices. Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (EKEN) also contributed NOK 5 million to CIADP.

4) Norway provided NOK 1.0 million to the World Bank in 1999 to support the Multi-Donor Support Unit (MSU), alongside NOK 10.5 million during 2001-2002 for strengthening the School Management Committees component of the Social Action Programme-II (SAP-II). Approximately NOK 272,800 (PKR 1.2 million) was also provided as seed money for the creation of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). Over the years, the SDPI has grown into a think tank of international renown, spearheading cutting-edge research on development issues that have informed more effective, evidence-based policy making, programmes and projects.

5) The Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation Programme has produced several tangible results in terms of institutional capacity development and the transfer of knowledge and technical know- how from Norwegian to Pakistani institutions. For example, as a result of cooperation with Norwegian Accreditation, the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) has become an internationally accepted certification body – leading to improved quality standards to protect consumers and boosting international trade with exceptional benefits in terms of employment, foreign exchange earnings and Pakistan’s overall gross domestic product (GDP). As a result of Norway’s support, the NED University in Karachi has set up a Centre of Excellence in Petroleum Studies. This will play a key role in developing quality human resource for the country’s petroleum industry by offering international standard education in cooperation with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), in Trondheim. The Survey of Pakistan is also better capacitated to conduct digital mapping and plans to offer a Bachelor’s level course on surveying in collaboration with the University of Bergen. Moreover, Norway’s support has ensured that the Pakistan Metrological Department is better equipped and its staff better trained to undertake their professional tasks, with immense positive impacts on DRR/DRM planning.

6) Support for AKCSP's Women Economic Empowerment (CIQAM) Programme in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (2008-2017) has promoted a pro-women social order, where young marginalized women are learning unconventional skills to gain economic independence and claim their space in the society. The CIQAM workshop in Hunza has become the epitome of women’s participation in the market-based economy as it provides services to walk-in customers alongside institutions. For instance, the CIQAM surveying team working at the Lahore Fort rolled out an effective digitalization project. Young women’s participation in economic activities through such learning

14 and using unconventional skills is redefining their role and status in an otherwise patriarchal social set-up.

7) While Pakistan Partnership Programme (PPP) is not part of Norway's bilateral aid portfolio for Pakistan, it nevertheless deserves a special mention here. This programme is a unique initiative of the Government of Norway that provides financial assistance to the organisations set up by Pakistani diaspora in Norway to design and implement social development initiatives in Pakistan – thus, cementing ties between the two countries.

15 2 PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS This section presents a sector-wise profile of projects/programmes, which Norway has supported and/or is supporting in Pakistan under its development assistance programme, between 1969-2018. 2.1 COMMODITY/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

In view of development needs identified by the Pakistani side, Norway provided commodity/technical assistance to different Pakistani institutions working in education, health, livelihood, fisheries, and research sectors. Norway's commodity/technical assistance had a two-fold objective: one, to meet the urgent needs of recipient institutions; two, to build their competence through training and capacity-building to take the benefits of this assistance forward. For example, Norway provided quality printing paper to (then) NWFP Textbook Board for printing of books and also provided training to its staff to develop their skills in quality textbook development and production. Similarly, Norway provided fertilizer to Ministry of Food & Agriculture and a surveying vessel to Fisheries Department to improve the food security in Pakistan. In order to facilitate supply of commodities and technical assistance, Norway and Pakistan inked a bilateral framework agreement in 1973, which outlined responsibilities of both parties and remained valid for a period of five years.

A brief overview of projects supported under the commodity/technical assistance sector is as follows:

2.1.1 Support to Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MoF&A) Norway provided fertilizer worth NOK 55 million to Pakistan in 1985; whereas, fertilizer worth NOK 40 million provided in 1986. This fertilizer was sent to Pakistan by Norsk Hydro; while, National Fertilizer Corporation of Pakistan was also involved in the project.1,2

2.1.2 Support to National Logistic Cell (NLC) Norway provided NOK 270 million for supply of Radio Link equipment to the National Logistic Cell (NLC). The package included provision of 35 mobile communication units for NLC's vehicles and technical assistance for installation, operationalization and training of NLC staff for future repairs/maintenance. M/s Elektrisk Bureau A/S supplied the equipment and provided training to NLC staff.

2.1.3 Support to Pakistan Telephone & Telegraph (PT&T) Norway provided NOK 56 million in total between 1985-87 for supply of radio link equipment for Pakistan Telephone & Telegraph (PT&T) Department (later renamed as PTCL). This equipment was supplied by a Norwegian firm, NERA A/S. The package also included backup training services by the supplier.

2.1.4 IMPACT3 Livelihood Support; The assistance to MoF&A enabled timely supply of fertilizers to the farmers, who were then able to harvest the seasonal crops. At macro level, the assistance enabled sustaining regular supply of food grains and earn valuable revenue from export-oriented crops.

1 Ref. Embassy's letter to EAD, dated 18.08.1983 2 Ref. agreement signed with Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MoF&A) in 1973 3 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account. 16 Capacity Enhancement - NLC has benefitted tremendously from Norway's support both in terms of increased revenue as well as its reputation as a reliable carrier. Radio Link equipment supplied by Norway ensured point-to-point connectivity of its fleet of vehicles plying between Peshawar to Karachi. The monetary valuation of this support, which is believed to be enormous, requires a detailed impact study. It can be termed as one of the best examples of use of technology for business in Pakistan. Remote Area Connectivity - The radio link equipment supplied to PTCL and training of its staff in operations and maintenance had a considerably positive impact on its connectivity in the remote areas of Pakistan as well as technically competent workforce and, of course, increased its revenue. 2.2 ENERGY SECTOR Energy shortage continues to pose serious challenges to economic growth of Pakistan even today. Due to rampant load-shedding, life is miserable for common people, on the one hand; and, on the other hand, industrial sector is losing competitive edge due to high production costs and delays in timely completion of orders, especially from foreign countries; thus, having adverse effect on the overall development of the country. According to daily Pakistan Today report of 30.03.2018, 'the electricity shortfall will surpass 6,000 MW during the extreme heat'. In addition to demand-supply gap, the transmission 'system cannot afford to load more than 18,000 MW', according to the National Transmission & Distribution Company, while the demand in the month of June (2018) would stand at 24,000 MW. Though the Government of Pakistan is trying hard to bridge the shortfall and end the load-shedding of electricity as well as sui gas, it appears to be a daunting task. In order to mitigate energy shortage in Pakistan, Norway started providing financial and technical support to various government organisations in early 1990s. A brief overview of projects supported under the energy sector is as follows:

2.2.1 Power Line System Equipment for Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Norway provided NOK 10 million for purchase of Power Line System for WAPDA. This equipment was supplied by EB-Nera. The project also included provision of technical assistance for installation, operationalization of equipment and training of WAPDA staff for repair/maintenance.4

2.2.2 Rural Electrification in Northern Areas According to an official of GB Public Works Department, three power stations, each 1.2 MW, In view of acute energy shortage in northern areas set up with Norwegian assistance at Hassanabad of Pakistan, Norway provided NOK 120 million for in Hunza, Kargah in Gilgit, and Tangir valley, are construction and operationalization of three functioning properly; while the workshop hydropower stations, 1.2 MW each at Kargah (Gilgit, established to support these three power stations has been upgraded and is currently catering to the NOK 14 million), Hassanabad (Hunza, NOK 18 repair/maintenance needs of 127 power stations million) and Tangir (Diamir, NOK 24 million). These functioning across Gilgit-Baltistan. power stations have been providing cheap The Department has already started constructing electricity to their respective catchment areas, an additional building to expand the workshop making life easier for all, especially for women, and enhance its capacity. It is because of this workshop that repair time has been reduced from besides contributing to increased business activity in 3 months to 1 to 2 weeks; whereas, cost has also the project areas. This project was implemented by gone down roughly by 300% three Norwegian companies, Norplan, Norconsult Establishment of workshop, at a total cost of NOK and Kværner, in cooperation with (then) Northern 13 million in November 1993, was an innovative idea, which is paying back by providing real-time Areas Public Works Department (NAPWD). repair/maintenance services to 127 power stations across Gilgit-Baltistan.

4 Ref. agreement signed in 1991

17 As part of this project, a technical workshop, namely Northern Areas Hydro Electric Workshop (NAHEW), was envisaged and established in Gilgit. It was equipped with appropriate machinery/tools required for repairing/refurbishing the turbines and other parts of a hydropower station. This workshop has become the most important factor for sustainability of this project. Prior to establishment of NAHEW, the NAPWD used to transport equipment for repairs to Rawalpindi and Lahore; whereas, after the establishment of NAHEW and training of staff, it acquired the capability to repair, refurbish, and maintain power stations across Gilgit-Baltistan at a fraction of a cost and time; thus, generating immense benefits for the NAPWD. The Norwegian experts provided on-job training to NAPWD staff working in NAHEW, besides sending selected staff to Norway for training. The training programme, which trained 27 staff members, had to be extended for valid reasons and, thus, ended in December 2000. As recently as October 2017, all three Norway-funded hydropower stations were fully operational. Primarily established for three Norway-funded hydropower stations, the NAHEW is not only fully operational but the Department has also injected additional technical and human capacity to the workshop, as a result of which it is now serving repair/maintenance requirements of 127 hydropower stations, ranging from 80 KV to 6 MW, across Gilgit-Baltistan. As noted above, this workshop has been making substantial savings in terms of cost and time by providing real time repair/maintenance services; whereas, earlier, it took approximately 60 to 90 days to get the equipment repaired/refurbished from Lahore and at approximately 300% higher cost.

The Northern Areas Hydro Electric Workshop in Gilgit, which was established with Norwegian funding in 1993, is fully operational and is now serving 127 hydropower stations in the region. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

This project has contributed as a successful model for future planning of energy projects in Pakistan.

According to the Final Report, this project -- implemented from August 1991 to June 1997 in close cooperation between the Norwegian and Pakistani engineers -- achieved the following targets:

18  Northern Areas Hydro Electric Workshop (cost: NOK 13.13 million, completed in November 1993)  Kargah-V Power Station (NOK 13.88 million, commissioned in 1994)  Hassanabad-II Power Station (NOK 17.73 million, commissioned in 1995)  Tangir Power Station (NOK 24.06 million, completed in 1996)  Review of the perfectibility study of 10.5 MW hydropower station Sai Multipurpose Project  Pre-feasibility study for Nomal Power Project on Naltar River  Perfectibility study for Hamuchal Hydrpower Project on Gilgit River  Possibilities for Jut Dam on the Kargah River, as a regular reservoir for the Kargah River Hydropower Station.

2.2.3 IMPACT5 Organisational/Technical/human capacity building -- Although no contact could be established with WAPDA to obtain any first-hand information, it is safe to assume that the transmission lines supplied by Norway contributed to improved transmission capacity of WAPDA, reduced line losses, and un-interrupted power supply to the end users. Training of WAPDA staff added to its capacity to maintain this network even after project completion; similarly, training of G-B Works Department staff in Norway as well as in-house training at the workshop added to their capacity to repair/maintain 127 power plants running across Gilgit-Baltistan.

Innovative Backup Support Model -- Establishment of Northern Areas Hydroelectric Workshop has turned out to be a ground-breaking support system for 127 hydropower stations running in Gilgit-Baltistan as it has been providing repairs/maintenance services at fraction of a cost and time as compared to the past. Its staff, trained in Norway and also by the Norwegian engineers on-site, are working in the workshop and also transferring their knowledge to the new-comers. According to the head of the workshop, 'the workshop has made valuable contribution in terms of providing timely and cost-effective repairs / maintenance services to the power stations being run by G-B Works Department'.

Socio-economic Impact of Cheap Electricity - Provision of cheap electricity is benefitting the beneficiary communities, especially women and children, in terms of better living and learning environment, and increased economic opportunities. All three Norway-funded power stations -- in Tangir, Kargah (Gilgit), and Hassanabad (Hunza) -- are providing electricity to approximately 2500, 1000, and 2,500 households, respectively (6000 household x 8 persons per family = 48000 recipients), availability of electricity has changed the social and economic fabric of recipient communities, as more children are going to schools (and colleges), small businesses have sprung up in the area, and better facilities are available for the tourists coming to these areas, while labour for women related to domestic chores has decreased. Professor Tor H. Aase of Department of Geography, University of Bergen, notes in his evaluation report of Tangir Hydropower Plant that "prior to the Norwegian Power Project, 28% of the households in Tangir were connected to the existing power station. Electricity supply was, however, fragmented and unreliable. In 2000, an official 90% of the households are connected to the electricity grid, the real percentage is probably close to 100%". As a result of project completion, "more irrigation water is available for farming purposes, thus, ensuring food security for the people. The electricity has substituted kerosene as the main source of light, while electricity has become the secondary source of heating and cooking, thus,

5 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

19 saving firewood erosion. Flour mills, carpenters, and other such businesses have switched from manual to electric appliances/tools, thus, increased productivity".

Employability -- The project contributed to creating a vibrant job market for the local skilled workers; however, it also turned out to be a challenge for the G-B Works Department to retain their trained workforce at the workshop as some of them left for better remuneration in the private sector.

2.3 EDUCATION SECTOR

Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right to education for all children aged 5-16 years. However, Pakistan Education Statistics Report 2016-17, states that approximately 22.84 million children are out of school in Pakistan. Moreover, only 30% children remain enrolled from 1st till 10th grade. As regards to schools' infrastructure, 40% public sector primary schools are operating without electricity, 28% do not have toilets, 25% are without boundary walls and 29% have no access to drinking water. While 7% schools do not have any building and 43% have unsatisfactory buildings. According to this report, as many as 70% children in Balochistan and 58% in FATA are out of school.

A dismal state of education in Pakistan has sustained through decades and calls for increased investment in the education sector by Pakistan Government. Recognizing the importance of education for socio-economic transformation, Norway has prioritized education sector since the inception of its development cooperation programme in Pakistan. In order to bolster the Government of Pakistan's efforts to increase access and quality of education, Norway has supported education projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Azad Kashmir. In line with MDG-2 and MDG-3, Norway's consistent and long-term programme support has made significant contribution to increasing both access and quality of education in Pakistan, with special focus on girls. A brief overview of education projects funded by Norway is as follows:

2.3.1 Support to NWFP Textbook Board Norway provided NOK 5.8 million to the (erstwhile) NWFP Textbook Board (NWFP-TBB) over a period of 5 years, 1991-1995. The Norwegian support aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of NWFP-TBB, besides increasing its capacity to develop and produce quality books for primary level. For this purpose, Norway -- as part of this project -- financed provision of technical assistance to the NWFP-TBB. A Norwegian consulting firm, IMTEC, provided technical assistance. Under this project, 80 professionals were trained in book writing, editing; 80 in pre-testing and manuscripts; 80 in evaluation and instructional materials; 35 in layout and designing of textbooks; and 35 in printing and economics of textbooks. Moreover, as much as 68 teacher’s textbooks for grade I to V were developed, published, and distributed to 33,000 schools in the province. Under this project, the curriculum for classes I to V in all subjects was compiled, published in one volume and distributed throughout the province. The professionals trained under this project were later on used by Allama Iqbal Open University and education departments of other provinces.6

2.3.2 New Primary Teachers Orientation Course (PTOC), Allama Iqbal Open University Norway provided NOK 18.5 million to Allama Iqbal Open University for implementing "New Primary Teachers Orientation Course (New PTOC)" Project in 1991 for a period of five years. However, the

6 Ref. agreement 11.06.1991, "Cooperation with North West Frontier Province Textbook Board within the Programme for Improvement of Teaching Materials for the North West Frontier Province" 20 project faced delays for a variety of reasons and completed in 2002. This Project aimed at contributing to Pakistan Government's efforts to improve quality of teaching at primary level, Under this project, Allama Iqbal Open University trained 51,116 primary level teachers, 2,500 tutors, and 250 senior tutors. A training package for in-service training programme in Pakistan was also developed as part of this project.7

2.3.3 Sindh Primary Education Development Programme Norway contributed NOK 17.8 million through the World Bank for implementation of "Sindh Primary Education Development Programme" by Sindh Education Department, during 1990-1996. This programme was designed with the objective to increase student participation in rural and urban slum primary schools, with emphasis on girls; enhance delivery of primary education, and improve student learning achievements. Norway supported the following programme components: 1) school nutrition programme, which reached out to 26,000 children, 50% girls; 2) scholarships for girls, where 2,321 girls received scholarship; 3) free textbooks were provided to 66% of the target rural girls students; and 4) technical assistance was provided through Aga Khan University and Sindh Education Foundation to mobilize the communities. The Aga Khan University implemented the School Nutrition Programme as a sub-partner of the Sindh Education Department.

2.3.4 Aga Khan Education Service-Pakistan (AKES-P) Norway provided NOK 4.1 million to the Aga Khan Education Service-Pakistan (AKES-P) for construction of girl’s schools under Self-Help School Construction Programme during the period 1996-1999. AKES-P used this grant to increase the access of girls from northern areas to education by: 1) constructing additional classrooms in the existing schools; 2) establishing coaching centres; 3) providing scholarships to enable girl students to continue higher education in other cities of Pakistan. In total, 32 classrooms and five toilet blocks were constructed in 17 selected schools, due to which, learning environment as well as enrolment of girl students significantly increased in these schools. As the recipient communities provided additional land and labour for construction, this practice highlighted the importance of education and dispensed increased awareness and enthusiasm into recipient and nearby communities to play a proactive role for educating their future leaders.

In 1996, seven girls (B.Sc. 6, BA 1) were granted scholarships under the Female Human Resource Development (FHRD) component to continue their studies at educational institutions in Rawalpindi/Islamabad and other parts of Pakistan. A total of 80 girls, including 29 from Nagar for the first time, were awarded scholarships in 1997. In 1998, 120 new girls, including 37 from Skardu, Ganche and Diamir for the first time, were supported, making the number of total scholars supported to 190. AKES-P also organized one-month coaching classes in teaching English grammar and writing skills during winter break in 1998. As a result of attending workshops on Developing Study Skills held in March 1998, increased understanding and language skills of students led to better results in grade XII. A significant success of this programme was the joining of 18 intermediate passed women as teachers in Nagar, which has traditionally been backward in women education. A number of girl students, after completing their matric from AKES-P schools, ran coaching centres and completed Intermediate through distance learning from Allama Iqbal Open University as FHRD scholars. This first cohort of educated women from Nagar region met urgent staffing requirements of the girl schools in their area. Moreover, three FHRD students from Nagar have joined government health department as health workers in their respective villages. Out of seven FHRD students from

7 Ref. contract dated 27.08.1991)

21 1996 batch, three have completed Master Courses (M.Sc. 2, MA 1), while three after completing B.Sc. have joined teaching and one is studying medicine, doing MBBS Course.

2.3.5 Basic Education Improvement Project BEIP marked the return of Norway's support to (BEIP), Department of Elementary & education sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In post- Secondary Education, Government of 9/11 scenario, this project assumed great significance for the government, as manifested by its design that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa it, i.a., had a special component for mainstreaming Norway provided NOK 72.6 million to the Khyber madrassas (Islamic seminaries), which was Pakhtunkhwa Elementary & Secondary Education implemented successfully (validated by two reviews). BEIP adopted a holistic approach, including training of Department for implementation of Basic teachers as well as education managers, reactivation Education Improvement Project (BEIP) over a of parent-teacher councils, piloting education quality- period of five years, 2003-2008. The project enhancement mechanisms such as introduction of provided training to 27,000 school managers mentor teachers, construction of LCOs to serve as (from primary to higher secondary school level) in training hub for a cluster of 80 to 100 schools across KP province, capacity-building of DCTE, RITES, PITES administrative, supervisory and financial matters; and Elementary Education Foundation. As a special construction of 250 Local Circle Offices (LCOs), a initiative, the Embassy approved construction of a new concept that provides training facilities to a girls school in the militancy-hit district of Buner, with cluster of 80 - 100 schools in its catchment area, a capacity to take 500 girl students. especially benefitting women teachers coming Currently, DFID is using PTCs, revived through BEIP, from far-flung areas; trained 4,400 primary school for construction work at schools in KP because PTCs teachers as Mentor Support Teachers; provided are found to be much cheaper and reliable partners. improved teacher guides (mathematics and KP Government is also spending huge sums through the PTCs. languages) for KG and Grade-1 and grade-2 for 22,573 primary schools; ensured effective Another output of BEIP, 250 Local Circle Offices, are involvement of parent-teacher councils (PTCs) in also being used for trainings, PTCs meetings, and school management through training and capacity other events within their respective clusters. However, teachers mentoring system, introduced building. This project also had a relatively small through BEIP, has been discontinued. component where 118 madrassas (seminaries), selected through a rigorous process by the KP Building of Bacha Khan Model School, Buner was not education department, received support (in total in use due to missing boundary wall; the classes have been moved temporarily to the hostel building; NOK 1.3 million) for basic infrastructure reportedly, PKR 10 million had been approved for the improvements, teacher trainings and the repair/maintenance of the school, and will be acquirement of governmental approved released soon. textbooks. This component has caused much Visit to Madrassa Hifz-o-Tajweedul Quran, Tindodag, public debate in Norway. An external evaluation Swat, shows that Norway's funding was spent conducted by Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) judiciously for the right purpose and these smaller concluded that the “project is in harmony with the madrassas, housing poorest of the poor students, Government of Pakistan’s Education Policy, and were in need of more support. might have contributed to an interest and As add-on to BEIP-I, the Embassy provided NOK 30 acceptance among the madrassas for million for rehabilitation of 139 girls schools in flood- mainstreaming and including the government hit districts of KP. curriculum in their teaching. Furthermore, the evaluation did “not identify credible links to militancy and/or militant activities among the reviewed madrassas. The religious schools emerge as moderate, are committed to secular education and have implemented the project deliverables (i.e. infrastructure, books and teacher training) in letter and spirit.”

BEIP also contributed to institution building in KP education department by supporting DCTE (Directorate of Curriculum & Teacher Education); while Elementary Education Foundation was contracted out to construct a school in the militancy-hit district Buner that can accommodate 500

22 girl students. Unfortunately, when visited, the school building was out of use for lack of timely repair and maintenance. 8

2.3.6 Rehabilitation/Reconstruction of Flood-Hit Girls Schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa In the wake of devastating floods in 2010, Norway provided NOK 30 million for rehabilitation/reconstruction of girl schools in the flood-hit districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Under this project, the KP education department rehabilitated/partly reconstructed 139 girl schools in nine flood-hit districts of the province, including Chitral. This support contributed to increased enrolment of girl students in these schools by facilitating rehabilitation / reconstruction of the infrastructure destroyed by the 2010 floods as well as provision of better learning environment. 9

2.3.7 Establishment of 350 Community Schools in Hard-to-Reach Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) In line with universal goal to achieve primary education under Education for All (EFA), Norway provided NOK 45 million to National Education Foundation (NEF; the implementing partner on behalf of Government of Pakistan), for establishment of 350 co-education community schools in seven agencies of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), during 2002 - 2008. These schools provided access to education for approximately 21,000 out of school children, aged 4 to 10 years, 50% girls. In addition, 700 teachers, 50% women, coming from local communities, got jobs. The NEF implemented this project through 30 local NGOs, in close cooperation with FATA Directorate of Education.

2.3.8 Universal Quality Primary Education (UqPE) in Punjab Norway provided NOK 33 million to UNICEF Pakistan for implementation of UqPE project in six selected districts of Punjab during 2003-07. The overall objective of this project was to increase access of all children, age 5 to 9, to quality primary education, especially girls, resulting in improved learning outcomes. According to a UNCIEF official, this experience was later on expanded to 12 additional districts of Punjab.

Besides creating two model Child-Friendly Schools, strengthening the Directorate of Staff Development (DSD), this project also led to creation of Punjab Examination Commission, which can be quoted as a good example of sustainable institution building.

2.3.9 Right To Play-Pakistan Norway has supported Right To Play (RTP)-Pakistan from 2008 to 2015. The RTP was founded by famous Norwegian speed skater, Johann Olav Koss, with a unique mandate to promote education quality, access, and learning achievements by using sport and play as a tool. The RTP is implementing several projects in eight districts of Pakistan with financial support from various donors, including Norway through Norad Oslo. The RTP has implemented projects in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Thatta district of Sindh with Norway's support through the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad.

RTP's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Programme Norway provided NOK 1.8 million to RTP for implementation of the pilot phase of its programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from October 2008-December 2009. Based on the results of the pilot phase, Norway decided to continue supporting RTP's programme in KP and, thus, provided NOK 4.300.000

8 Ref. agreement dated 19.11.2003 9 Ref. agreement dated 11.12.2010

23 for implementation of "Sport and Play for Peace and Development" Project (Phase-1) in Mardan during 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2012. The RTP implemented this project in 50 partner schools and selected government departments and communities under an MoU with the KP Department of Elementary & Secondary Education. The project used sport and play activities to inculcate in students and teachers values such as peace, tolerance, harmony, better teacher-student relations and self-confidence, besides improving learning achievements through improved student-teacher relationship.

Norway provided NOK 4.9 million for phase-2 of this project during 2012-14. This phase was implemented in 100 schools. In collaboration with the Directorate of Curriculum & Teacher Education (DCTE), the RTP developed sport and play curriculum, which the E&SE Department has introduced in the KP schools. This project engaged 25,036 children, 51% girls; trained over 100 young boys and girls as coaches; and 320 school teachers in using RTP resources. The project has produced 350 active Junior Leaders, 200 among them are girls. Women inclusion in sport and play activities is core focus of the project. The project has also reconstructed/rehabilitated 42 play spaces in various schools; organized coaching camps for around 200 young community-based sport teams. 15 UN international play days and awareness campaigns were led by Right To Play in different schools. Right to play also expanded play-based sport program in the conflict-hit neighbouring district, Buner in partnership with Bacha Khan Model School; also supported District Hockey Association in Buner.

Right to Play has used sports as a tool to improve the quality of education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

RTP's Sindh Programme In order to mitigate traumatic effects on children affected by devastating floods of 2010, Norway granted NOK 6.4 million to RTP-Pakistan for implementing "Sport and Play Program for Flood- affected Children and Youth in Thatta" Project in Thatta district of Sindh from January 2011 to December 2013 (ended in 2015). This project aimed at improving social, emotional, cognitive and 24 physical development of participating children, especially girls. With the activities and support of Right to Play, there has been a significant change in the attitude of school and college administration towards women participation in sport and play activities. RTP implemented this project in 50 partner schools, besides working with Bureau of Curriculum & Extension Wing (BoCEW), Provincial Institute of Teachers Education, teachers, Head Teachers for introducing policy changes and building capacity of government teachers in integrating sport and play activities in the daily routines of government schools.

In Sindh, the BoCEW with RTP's technical support has developed trainer and games manual of physical education for PETs; 120 PET Master Trainers from all over Sindh have been trained to use the developed resources; positive Child & Youth Development training imparted to 100 teachers from BoCEW pilot schools.

2.3.10 Bulandi Welfare & Educational Society, Azad Kashmir Norway provided NOK 3.6 million to Bulandi Welfare & Educational Society for reconstruction of two government schools in Union Council Tallgran in Azad Kashmir. These schools had been destroyed by the devastating earthquake in 2005. More than 800 children, 80% girls, are studying in the two schools. Bulandi completed this project in close cooperation with government authorities, while the schools were inaugurated by then Education Minister of Azad Kashmir in the presence of Norwegian Ambassador, Cecilie Landsverk. On this occasion, the Minister also announced to provide lab and computer equipment to these schools. This Norwegian contribution was widely hailed by Azad Kashmir government as well as beneficiary communities. This project is a good example of civil society and government cooperation.

2.3.11 GIZ - Pakistan Technical & Vocational Education Reform Programme (NAVTTC-TEVTAs) Norway has provided Pakistan TVET Education Reform Programme is being implemented by GIZ, in NOK 62 million to GIZ collaboration with NAVTTC at federal and TEVTAs in provinces and Azad Kashmir, with for implementing financial assistance from the EU, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, German Phase-1, 2014-16, and BMZ, and Norway. NOK 40 million for TEVTA-Punjab representatives, in a meeting on 12.10.17 in Lahore, recognized the implementing phase-2 contribution made by this project, as it was helping them switch over to the of the "Pakistan TVET competency-based training (CBT) system, using an internationally-recognized Reform Support curriculum. TEVTA-Punjab is running close to 400 technical schools in the province, of Programme (TRSP)". which 80 will start teaching 30 CBT-based courses by 2019. The Punjab Government has obtained $50 million loan from the World Bank for implementing the CBT GIZ is implementing modules. They, however, said that they still needed support for developing all 5 levels this programme in of CBT-based courses in the 62 identified trades. 700 of their teachers have already cooperation with been trained to teach CBT modules. They added that in order to succeed, the National Vocational & programme required continued ownership by the national authorities as well as Technical Training international funders, as complete conversion of all courses to CBT model was an uphill task, which requires huge resources and much time. Commission (NAVTTC) and provincial TEVTAs This programme has provided technical support to NAVTTC to develop and implement (Technical Education & National Skills Strategy and the National TVET Policy; it has also contributed to the development National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF). Vocational Training Authority).

The purpose of this programme is to 'promote access, equity, relevance and quality of technical and vocational education in Pakistan'. Under this programme, 110,000 people, of which 30% are women and 50% are from war-affected border areas, were targeted to complete short and long-term vocational education and training courses of improved quality, adapted to the needs of the national and international labour market. The TVET curricula have been revised in accordance with international standards; while National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF) and the maiden

25 National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy were launched in March 2015 with a view to standardize the skills training across Pakistan. This will create quality labour force for the national market besides opening doors to the international markets for skilled Pakistani labours.

During the first three years of operation, the Programme has supported the development of provincial/regional skills development plans (SDPs). Since early 2015, and in the context of the development and adoption of the first National TVET Policy, a major impetus has been given to clarify the roles of stakeholders. A comprehensive stakeholder mapping has been undertaken to elaborate the mandates and responsibilities of public and private sector TVET stakeholders within the context of the 18th Amendment. Related capacity development support has been provided to NAVTTC to implement the National Skills Strategy (NSS) and the National TVET Policy. This programme has also provided technical support to NAVTTC and the TEVTAs for establishing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms. A total of 175 public and private TVET institutes in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA; now merged into KP), AJK and Sindh are offering CBT&A programmes in 23 trade areas in the agriculture, service, and energy sectors.

The TVET program is promoting access, equity, relevance and quality of technical and vocational education in Pakistan. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

To measure employer satisfaction with CBT graduate skills and the anticipated increase in graduate income, the Programme commissioned a tracer study. It found high employer satisfaction with CBT graduate skills: 87% for technical concepts, 89% for practical skills, 80% for repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting skills, 93% for safety consciousness, 95% for quality-mindedness, and 98% for communication skills. Among self-employed CBT graduates, satisfaction levels with their own skills

26 were even higher: 96% for technical concepts, 94% for practical skills, 86% for repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting skills, 95% for safety consciousness, 97% for quality-mindedness, and 97% for communication skills.

Pakistan TVET Reform Support Programme can rightly be termed as a turning point for Pakistan's TVET sector as it brings home standardized skills development opportunities for aspiring Pakistani youth in line with international standards.

Norway's support to this programme manifests that Norway gives priority to development of human and institutional capacity of Pakistani institutions. This programme is oriented especially towards youth coming from backward and conflict-hit areas and is serving approximately 42 million young boys and girls. During the ongoing phase of TVET programme, Norway's financial support is being used mainly for gender mainstreaming. A gender mainstreaming working group, established under the programme, has developed a Gender Mainstreaming Strategy for the TVET Sector Support Programme. Resultantly, the training modules will be gender sensitive and women enrolment in various training programmes will be increased. The training institutes will also receive advice and support to identify and develop new training programmes that are suitable for women. Gender-sensitive Centres of Excellence – The CoE concept highlights their role as gender mainstreaming multipliers in the TVET sector. All centres will cater for both men and women TVET personnel. These CoEs will develop activities and materials supporting the mainstreaming of gender aspects in the continuous professional development for teachers and assessors.

2.3.12 Strengthening of School Committees, World Bank-Multi-Donor Support Unit Norway provided NOK 10.5 million to the World Bank for implementation of "Strengthening School Committees" Project, from August 2001 to August 2002. The overall objective of this Project was, "to improve the quality of schooling at the primary and elementary levels by effective involvement of parents and local community through School Committees". The Project focusses its activities in Islamabad Capital Territory, and in selected districts of Sindh and Punjab. In addition to this support, Norway provided NOK 1 million to cover administrative cost of Multi-Donor Support Unit for one year, 1999.

2.3.13 Support to Asian Development Bank Norway provided NOK 30.66 million (approx. USD 4.5 million) to Asian Development Bank for implementation of "Girls Primary Education Development" Project during 1994-1995.

2.3.14 Norad Scholarship Programmes Over and above the annual bilateral assistance, Norway has been providing individual scholarships to Pakistani applicants since 1970s for short-/long-term trainings/courses in diverse fields. In addition, Norway used to offer Norad-funded scholarship programme called, NORAD Fellowship Programme (NFP). Upon culmination of NFP, Norad started offering funds for institutional cooperation, under which cooperation between Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad Campus, has taken place. In addition, the International Summer School of the University of Oslo is still open to all.

27 2.3.15 IMPACT10 Institutional strengthening -- provision of quality printing paper and training to its staff enabled the NWFP Textbook Board to produce and publish high quality books for primary/secondary level, set and follow higher standards in publishing textbooks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the years to come; support to UNICEF contributed to strengthening of Directorate for Staff Development and creation of Punjab Examination Commission in Punjab;

Capacity building of teachers -- support to Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) created a pool of 51116 primary level teachers, 2500 tutors, 250 senior tutors trained in implementing a comprehensive teaching methodology developed in consultation with international consultants that continues to benefit hundreds of thousands of students across Pakistan; 27,000 school managers and 4,400 mentor teachers trained under BEIP, contributing to access and quality of education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa;

Increase in enrolment and retention of students -- support to Sindh Education Department under the World Bank's School Nutrition Programme helped increase enrolment and retention in primary/secondary schools of Sindh. This programme enrolled 26,000 students, 50% girls, and retained them in the schools by incentivizing 2,321 girls with scholarships while 66% of target students received free textbooks. The project contributed as a successful model for future planning of such programmes within the ranks of Sindh Government, besides activating parent teacher councils (PTCs), and building the capacity of local NGOs who were associated with it as implementing partners. The Impact Research Study and Joint Research Report of October 1998, conducted by the Institute of Educational Development, Aga Khan University, the University of Bristol, and Oslo College, noted that Norway-funded components of the project was assessed as the most successful despite implementation delays;

Provision of alternative learning for Out of School Children -- support to National Education Foundation for establishing and running 350 community schools in all 7 agencies of FATA provided access to approximately 21,000 out-of-school children, aged 4 to 10 years, 50% girls. 700 local teachers, 50% women, got jobs in these schools. These teachers also received refresher trainings, which helped them get regular jobs in different private and government schools later on. Reconstruction of two government schools in the far-flung mountainous region of Azad Kashmir ensured access to quality education for poor girls and boys.

Strengthening basic education for marginalized children of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -- dividends of support to Basic Education Improvement Project (BEIP) through Elementary & Secondary Department, KP Government are continuing even seven years after the project completion. Under this project, 27,000 school managers received training in administrative and financial management, communities got enhanced role in improving overall performance of schools as Parent-Teacher Councils (PTCs) were activated through training in 27,000 schools. The DFID adopted and refined the same model by providing refreshers to all PTC members in 27,000 schools. Resultantly, government enhanced the financial powers of PTCs to spend up to PKR 1 million per month in each school. In addition, 4,400 primary teachers received training as mentor teachers who eventually helped improve quality of school education. Moreover, as part of BEIP, approximately 35,000 students of 118 madrassas (Islamic religious seminaries) benefitted from the Norwegian support for improved infrastructure and provision of training to two teachers from each madrassa to teach contemporary subjects.

10 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

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Local Circle Offices have made it easier for education personnel to attend trainings and workshops close to their workplace. This is in turn is improving the quality of education, benefitting their students. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE.

Education infrastructure development -- construction of 250 Local Circle Offices (LCOs), another innovative intervention, is serving training needs of school managers and teachers in their respective catchment areas, making it easier especially for women staff to attend trainings/meetings without having to travel long distances, which in turn benefits their students in terms of improved learning outcomes. The LCOs are also used as venues for the PTCs meetings, thus, facilitating community's interaction with school management that eventually leaves a positive impact on student retention rate. Buner Model School, constructed in the militancy-hit district Buner continues to facilitate girls access to education. Norway has also contributed to increased access and retention rate by supporting rehabilitation/reconstruction of 139 girl schools in nine flood-hit districts of KP. Norway's contribution to increasing access to education in remote areas is also manifested by its support to Aga Khan Education Services Pakistan for construction of 32 rooms and 5 toilet blocks in Northern Areas of Pakistan.

Contribution to policy reforms -- National TVET Policy 2018 and National Vocational Qualification Framework were approved for standardization of TVET curriculum in Pakistan.

Norad Fellowship Programme -- has a created a pool of professionals, serving in different government organisations in Pakistan, by providing them opportunities to pursue degree programmes in diverse disciplines in the Norwegian universities; thus, providing better trained/skilled human resource to Pakistan; International Summer School (ISS), University of Oslo is an excellent platform that gathers participants from across the world, including Pakistan, and promotes cross-cultural understanding and international goodwill. It offers up to six weeks short courses in different disciplines.

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Improved Textbook Quality -- The assistance introduced the concept and practice of using quality paper for text book publication. The training component introduced staff to new industry practices, hence adoption of quality printing. The learnings were shared across different tiers (by the trained staff), thus raising a cadre of craftsman adept in writing, editing, and publishing text books on quality paper. The teachers and students appreciated the quality publications. The professionals trained under this project were later on used by education departments of other provinces. It is remarkable that the project managed to compile, publish, and distribute curriculum for classes I to V in all subjects in one volume throughout the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

2.4 GOOD GOVERNANCE SECTOR

Governance is a major challenge facing most developing countries, including Pakistan; which is why supporting good governance, with special focus on democratization and human rights, is one of the priority areas for Norway's development cooperation in Pakistan. Norway has and is supporting projects that focus on improving electoral systems, local government system, police and local governance structures, including community-based governance and democratization. These projects, spread all over Pakistan, have been and are being implemented by the UN organisations, government institutions, as well as national and international NGOs.

A brief overview of governance-related projects supported by Norway is as follows:

2.4.1 UNDP Election Support Under its support to democratization, Norway through UNDP supported three national elections in Pakistan; 2002 (NOK 15 million), 2008 (NOK 11.39 million) and 2013 (NOK 9 million). The goal of this support was to provide legal and institutional frameworks that enabled free, fair, transparent elections at all levels. In order to secure national ownership of the initiative, these projects were implemented through UNDP under the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) leadership ensuring full involvement of relevant national partners, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media. Prior to this support, the electoral processes were supported through UNDP from 1996 to 2000 to the tune of NOK 10.9 million. In addition, Norway provided NOK 7.1 million to the Election Commission of Pakistan through UNDP for capacity building.

2.4.2 UN WOMEN Election Support Norway channelled NOK 1.1 million through UN Women in support to election, between January 2012 to December 2014. The project contributed to achieving the following results:

 The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) acquired systems and tools to collect sex-- disaggregated data at the polling station level for the first time by installing a software at each District Election Commissioner’s Office for gender-sensitive results management. As a result, polling stations collected sex-disaggregated data recorded for the first time in the 2013 general elections and estimated women voter turnout at 49 per cent;  Women politicians from across party lines committed to advocate for a minimum of 10 per cent quota for women in decision-making positions within political parties. The ECP demonstrated its increase in political will through a directive issued to all Provincial Election Commissions to fill a women’s quota on priority basis, particularly in relation to government employee grade levels 1-16.  Members of the ECP approved first Gender Mainstreaming Strategy for enhancing women’s participation in political processes and key elements of the strategy were incorporated into the second ECP Five-year Strategic Plan 2014-18. 30 2.4.3 The Asia Foundation - Support for Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan Programme Norway provided NOK 7 million for implementation of "Support for Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan Programme" through The Asia Foundation (TAF), from November 2006 to February 2009. This project resulted in creation of FAFEN (Free and Fair Election Network), an independent watchdog for overseeing democratic processes, especially elections, in Pakistan. This project was another example of donor coordination as it was financed by a group of like-minded donors, including Canadian CIDA, DFID, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Swiss Development Cooperation and Norway. Norway's contribution to this project was used for monitoring of domestic election, monitoring, voter education, increased participation of women as voters, etc. during 2008 general elections.

2.4.4 Support to National Democratic Institute (NDI) Norway provided NOK 12 million to National Democratic Institute (NDI) between 2008-2013. The NDI used this grant to build capacity of political parties, which in turn ensured increased women and youth participation in the electoral processes.

2.4.5 Support to SUNGI Development Foundation (Sungi) Sungi is a national NGO, working primarily in the Hazara district in KP. In July 2002, Norway provided NOK 10 million to SUNGI for implementation of "Development for Democracy, Sungi's Strategic Plan (2002-2006)" Project. The goal of this project was to bring about policy and institutional changes by mobilizing deprived and marginalized communities with a view to creating an environment in which communities at the local level may be able to transform their lives through the equitable and sustainable use of resources.

Norway provided NOK 5 million in support of "SUNGI Strategic Programme (2006-2009)". The principal objectives of the Sungi Programme included: (1) Improved governance and democratisation; (2) empowerment and proactive involvement of civil society, legislature and government in people-centred policy formulation, decision-making and effective allocation and utilization of economic, social and natural resources; (3) improved livelihoods and environmentally sensible use of local resources; (4) Enhanced human and institutional capacities for disaster management, poverty alleviation and participatory development. This project worked toward mobilising communities with a view to creating an environment in which communities at the local level may be able to transform their lives through the equitable and sustainable use of resources.

Norway provided NOK 5.1 million to support Sungi's "Empowering Marginalized for Social Change" Project (July 2009 - June 2012). The goal of this project was to, "politically, socially and economically empowered communities living in a just, peaceful and sustainable natural environment". This project promoted good governance, democratization and human rights through social mobilization and advocacy at the community level in Hazara district. It also contributed to strengthening of local government system.

2.4.6 UN WOMEN In line with its commitment towards promoting gender equality, Norway has been a lead supporter and donor of UN WOMEN since its inception; provided NOK 16.24 million in 2013, NOK 14.83 million in 2012, and NOK 14.68 million in 2011 as core funding to UN WOMEN-Pakistan.

Norway provided NOK 1.2 million to the UN WOMEN for highlighting and integrating gender issues in 2013 general election during 2011-2012.

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2.4.7 Support to ROZAN Police Training Programme Norway's total contribution to ROZAN from 1999 to 2012 amounts to approx. NOK 6.7 million. Details are as follows:

1991 - 2001: Rozan initiated Rabta Police Training Programme. The Rabta project’s objective was to build the capacity of police to effectively address incidents of violence against women and children. Working with Police College, Sihala and Islamabad Capital Territory Police, Rozan trained 465 police men and 30 women.

2004 - 2007: Rozan in partnership with National Police Training Academy (NPA) Islamabad focussed on mentoring, training and capacity building of mid-level police officials. For this purpose, the two partners developed "Attitudinal Change Module", which was tested and later on included into regular police trainings, trained police instructors from 20 police training schools/colleges across Pakistan Curriculum on gender sensitivity and attitudinal change was also developed and included in the NPA's curriculum.

2009 - 2012: ROZAN initiated implementation of "Strengthening Police Response to Gender-Based Violence" Project. This Project had two outcomes: (1) Increase in the ability of police men and women to handle cases of violence effectively and sensitively; (2) The police deal with women and children survivors of violence more sensitively and effectively. The Embassy of Finland also supported this Project, which is another example of Norway's priority to donor coordination. In its 12 years of work, supported by the Norwegian Embassy, Rozan has trained over 4,000 men and women of police force from Constables to DIG (deputy inspector general); while its indirect outreach through the curriculum “Attitudinal Change Module” has been around 3,000 police men / women.

Building on its experience with police department, Rozan launched Pakistan Forum on Democratic Policing (PFDP) in 2011 to synergize the efforts of different CSOs working with police department across Pakistan. Rozan was happy to report that its work initiated with Norway's support had been transformed into a national movement with the objective to bring about reforms in police culture. The PFDP has 15 CSOs as its members at the national level, 40 in Sindh and 30 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

2.4.8 Support to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Norway has been supporting UNODC since 2011, enabling it to work with the police department in Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot districts of Punjab. The objective of this project is to enhance effectiveness, capacity and responsiveness of law enforcement agencies. The project particularly focuses on improving the current knowledge, investigation skills, and intelligence and operational capacities of law enforcement agencies. This project has contributed in improving the Punjab police capability to establish rule of law through introducing modern methods of policing. In particular, investigation procedures and use of forensic technology have been significantly enhanced due to UNODC-led training and capacity building of the investigation officers across Punjab and especially in Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot.

The Embassy has so far provided NOK 7.68 million to UNODC, detail of which is as follows:

 Supply of Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Kits (NOK 1.5 million - Nov. 2011)  Refurbishing Interpol Office in Islamabad (NOK 230,000 - April 2012)  Improving Law & Criminal Justice in Punjab - Pakistan (NOK 1.75 million - June 2013)  Support to Punjab police department to improve training and investigative capacities (NOK 4.2 million - 2014 - 2016).

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Direct and indirect target beneficiaries of the projects are police and prosecution personnel, detailed breakdown of which is given below:

 District Police - Gujrat (3,638 personnel)  City Police - Gujranwala (5,578 personnel)  City Police - Rawalpindi (5,729 personnel)  City Police - Lahore (27,146 personnel)  Police Training Institutions (7 training institutions, including 2 Police Training Colleges and 5 Police Training Schools).

In view of noticeable results achieved during the first phase, Norway signed another contract with UNODC to support the phase-II of the project, titled: "Improving the Rule of Law in Punjab - Pakistan (2017-2019)", with a grant of NOK 9 million.

2.4.9 Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), World Bank Norway's co-financing of The World Bank (WB)-administered MDTF is another example of supporting Government of Pakistan in collaboration with other donors. This fund was established in 2009-10 on the request of the Government of Pakistan to offer a coordinated response to the natural and man-made disasters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan. It aims at improving trust between citizens and the state. It is geared towards addressing the recommendations of the Post-Crises Need Assessment (PCNA) and serves as a fund mobilization mechanism to support the PCNA’s reconstruction and development strategy while also addressing governance and other challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, and Balochistan. The MDTF has three major pillars: 1) growth and job creation; 2) policy reform and governance; 3) service delivery.

The MDTF has served as a collective forum for large as well as small donors to contribute in an integrated manner to the national development using government machinery. It also identifies and provides solutions for the capacity gaps on the beneficiary side. Development and operationalization of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Development Strategy (KP-IDS) and Balochistan Education Sector Plan are the two prime examples of MDTF's contribution at the policy level. The donor’s contribution through MDTF amounts to only 14% of the total spending, while Government of Pakistan has contributed the remaining funds. The MDTF has targeted 47% women in its multi-sector integrated programmes.

Since 2010, the MDTF has delivered on 11 projects in KP, FATA and Balochistan. Six projects out of 11 were completed and closed in 2015, two further were completed during 2016 and three are under implementation. Round 1 of the program has achieved significant results over the past five years of engagement and reached an estimated 5.7 million beneficiaries. Of these, approximately 4.7 million have benefitted from the provision of better services and 140,000 from enhanced livelihood opportunities. A total of 2.8 million women have also been reached. The benefits include economic empowerment through livelihood support and social mobilization.

Round 2 started from 2016 and will go up to 2020. Of the three priority areas for Round 2, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan have prioritized governance programmes. Norway has contributed NOK 35 million (approx. $4.4 million) to the MDTF as of June 2017, which amounts to 2% of the total funds contributed by the MDTF donor consortium. Other donors include Australia, Denmark, European Union, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and DFID.

33 The MDTF allocations for each region are as follows: FATA: 33%; KP: 55%; Balochistan: 12%; whereas, allocation for each sector is as follows: 20% ($29 mill) for Growth & Job Creation; 68% ($100.3 million) for Improving Local Services & Community Support; 12% ($17.75 million) for Policy Reform and Governance Support. As part of its institutional development drive, the MDTF has created Balochistan Revenue Authority and KP Revenue Authority, which have contributed to significant increase in revenue collection in their respective provinces.

2.4.10 Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment (DTCE) Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment (DTCE) was established in July 2003 as a non-for- profit company with the vision, "to create an enabling environment for citizen empowerment and community participation in all Union Councils of Pakistan". Norway joined the DTCE donors' consortium (comprising DFID, UNDP, USAID, CIDA, Swiss Development Cooperation) in 2004 and provided NOK 40 million through a cost-sharing agreement with UNDP to implement “Support to Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment / Improving Citizen Engagement through Devolution (ICED)” Programme. This programme was implemented in the 64 selected districts across Pakistan during 2003 - 2012.

The ICED was envisioned to address the issue of low levels of citizen engagement in the post devolution scenario of Pakistan. This programme was aimed at increasing accountability of state to its citizens by striving to increase citizens' engagement with the state by activating key entitlements envisaged in the Local Government Ordinance 2001 and Police Order 2002. It was aimed at securing citizen's rights by leveraging constitutionally sanctioned resources and other entitlements from the state to deliver key demand driven services at community level. Strategically, the program strived to engage stakeholders/actors on both demand and supply side, undertook their capacity building and provided institutional support to facilitate the whole process. Overall, more than 3 million citizens benefited from different components of this elaborate programme (source: DTCE website).

The programme formed and mobilised a country-wide network of Citizens Community Boards (CCBs), which were capacitated to secure and implement projects through funding from the newly- introduced local government system. In order to enhance public participation in development processes, the DTCE created and operationalized a variety of mechanisms such as CCBs network, bar associations, press clubs, village & neighbourhood councils, police-community relations and local government associations that benefitted more than 1.5 million citizens. According to DTCE, 840,000 citizens were organized to form CCBs in target districts; 15,350 projects including 1,204 by women and socially-excluded CCBs utilized approx. NOK 530,967,000 while benefitting 236,000 citizens; more than 120,000 citizens were trained on obtaining various citizen entitlements.

2.4.11 Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation Framework The Institutional Cooperation Framework (The Programme) was signed between Pakistan and Norway on 11 April 2005 for Phase 1 (NOK 15 million) and then on 9 December 2009 for Phase-2 (NOK 25 million). Administered by the Planning Commission of Pakistan, Government of Pakistan, this programme served as an umbrella covering a number of diverse projects designed and implemented by Pakistani and Norwegian institutions. These institutions comprised public sector universities (NED University, Karachi; IED/AKU-UoPeshawar; COMSATS University, Abbottabad Campus; National University of Science and Technology [NUST], Islamabad; and University of Agriculture, Faisalabad); public sector organisations such as Pakistan National Accreditation Council; Pakistan Metrological Department; Geological Survey of Pakistan; Survey of Pakistan; Federal Directorate of Education; Balochistan Education Department, National Institute of Lasers and Optronics (NILOP), Nilor; and Marine Fisheries Department, Karachi. These institutions designed and implemented collaborative projects with their Norwegian counterpart institutions.

34 Despite facing initial delays in implementation, most of these projects have yielded sustainable results, with modest investment (grant per project amounts to NOK 3 million, with a couple of exceptions). Moreover, it has provided opportunities for mutual learning to Norwegian and Pakistani institutions through exchange of technical knowledge and experts. This project makes a good case as a sustainable initiative aimed at improving the governance and functioning of Pakistani institutions. It has also contributed to promoting professional and social interaction as the experts from both sides have been paying exchange visits to each other.

A brief overview of the partners and projects supported under Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation Framework is given below:

Seismic Hazard Study for Islamabad and Rawalpindi / Earthquake Risk in Pakistan/ Competence Building Assistance in Seismic Network Handling and Tsunami Modelling In collaboration with Norwegian Seismic Array (NORSAR), Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) completed the maiden Seismic Hazard & Risk Assessment of Pakistan in 2007 (www.pmd.gov.pk). According to PMD, this report is being used by large construction projects, universities, and other relevant institutions; PMD shares knowledge plus software, given by Norway, with interested students and scholars. The PMD and NORSAR have also completed the maiden Tsunami Modelling of Arabian Sea, report of which is also available on PMD's website. A number of PMD staff have acquired knowledge and skills in micro zoning and risk evaluation of any area of Pakistan in the field of earthquake hazards and they will continue to use this capability to the benefit of Pakistan.

Introduction of Education for All in an Inclusive Setting in Pakistan This project was implemented by IDP-Norway in collaboration with Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) in selected schools of Islamabad Capital Territory, and with Balochistan Education Department in selected schools of Balochistan. It focused on children with minor disabilities and equipped teachers of selected schools with knowledge and techniques to teach such children along with normal children.

Tripartite Cooperation Between Institute of Educational Development (IED)/Aga Khan University; Institute of Education Research (IER)/University of Peshawar; and Oslo University College (LINS), Oslo IER/Peshawar University benefitted from technical assistance provided by IED and LINS and strengthened its capacity in teacher education and planning and implementation of new educational programmes.

Strengthening Applied Research Capacity at COMSATS ABBOTTABAD in Livelihood, Security and Development in Post-Conflict Swat The faculty and students of Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and COMSATS Abbottabad conducted joint field research in three different union councils of Swat, resulting in development and publication of a policy paper titled, "Rural Development in Swat, Pakistan". Three workshops were conducted during the project period, while four MS students from COMSATS were trained in field research techniques and one faculty member received 3-week intensive training in governance and development at N-UMB. As a result of this project, COMSATS has now institutionalized capacity in conducting qualitative / field research in post-conflict situations, focusing on important areas like livelihood, food security, and water and sanitation.

35 Competence Strengthening in Fisheries Institutions in Pakistan / Assistance in Planning and Implementing Marine Fisheries Resources Survey As a result of cooperation between Institute of Marine Research, Norway and Pakistan Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), the latter's capacity in fish resource assessment and fish quality improved significantly. The human resource and institutional capacity at MFD was developed through a series of in-country and overseas trainings. Under this project, the famous Dr Fridtjof Nansen Advanced Research Vessel conducted a survey of marine resources in Pakistani waters in 2010. It was its second trip after almost 20 years.

Strengthening of Cooperation Between Norwegian Accreditation and Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) Phase I&II The Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) was established as an autonomous body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan as the national apex agency to accredit conformity assessment bodies such as laboratories and certification bodies. It was established in 1998 after signing the WTO in 1995; whereas, it started offering accreditation services in 2001.

PNAC terms its cooperation with the Norwegian Accreditation (NA) as a complete transformation of its capacity as a national assessor. Prior to commencement of this cooperation, the PNAC did not have lead assessors. Hence, the first assessor course was held for 25 of its staff members in 2005. Owing to this cooperation, PNAC achieved Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) status 2013, due to which, PNAC's test reports are recognised at the international level. The PNAC staff members have received on-site trainings in Norway under this cooperation. The PNAC has achieved the capability to assess and certify on the following quality standards:

 Pathological lab related certification 15189; exports positive 17025; UCAS ISO 9000; ISO 14000; ISO 9000; OSHA 18001; Product certification 17065; Trade certification/competence certification 17024; Pathology lab 15189; Testing and calibration labs 17025; Proficiency testing providers 17043; Food safety management 22000; Halal food accreditation 4992

PNAC has signed "Mutual Recognition Arrangement" with:

 International Lab Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) 2009;  Asia-Pacific Lab Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) 2009.

The PNAC has so far accredited eight labs in Pakistan. It is capable of issuing certifications not only in Pakistan but also at international level. It receives requests from other countries for training their accreditation bodies. Lebanon, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Bahrain have already approached PNAC for providing technical assistance and training. The PNAC has already trained 11 personnel from the Afghan Accreditation Body, with funding from PTB-German Technical Cooperation.

National University of Science & Technology (NUST) The NUST (School of Chemical & Materials Engineering), in cooperation with NTNU (Department of

Chemical Engineering), has completed a project, titled: "CO2 Capture from Natural gas and Flue gases using Polymeric Membranes". In this project, the partners have focused on the development of new polymeric membranes for carbon dioxide capture from natural gas and flue gases by using different polymeric materials (CA, PA, PS, PES, etc.). This polymer membrane will lead to an integrated, cost effective membrane-based separation process, which will be environment friendly and less energy intensive. Under this project, a state of the art experimental facility to investigate membranes-based gas separation processes has also been established at NUST.

36 This project is now at a take off stage to persuade the process industry to employ membranes-based

CO2 capture technology to reduce the CO2 emissions. The FFC Pakistan has already shown interest in the proposed research. As and when the end product of this project achieves commercial viability, it can save Pakistan millions of dollars by producing the polymeric membranes in Pakistan, which are currently being imported from abroad at much higher price.

Establishment of Norwegian Centre of Excellence for Petroleum Studies at NED University, Karachi In collaboration with NTNU Norway and NED Karachi, the Norwegian Centre of Excellence for Petroleum Studies has been established at NED University, Karachi. The Centre is staffed with four faculty members (two of whom have completed their MS from NTNU Norway), and one state of the art lab. It is offering international-level master’s in petroleum studies program. Recognizing the importance of this Centre, the University management has decided to construct a separate building for the Centre, besides covering all running costs.

Studying Plant Defence Responses in Oilseed Rape (Brassica Napus) for Sustainable Pest Management University of Agriculture Faisalabad and NTNU Development and successful cultivation of new non-toxic insect pest resistant, equally useful for human and animals, minless oilseed rape (Brassica napus) was achieved as a result of cooperation between University of Agriculture Faisalabad and NTNU Norway. A state of the art scientific research lab and a learning centre have also been established at University of Agriculture Faisalabad.

National Institute of Lasers and Optronics (NILOP) National Institute of Lasers and Optronics (NILOP) in cooperation with Norwegian University of Science & Technology (NTNU) has successfully completed the project titled, "Capacity-building of Cancer Nanotheranostics Using Multifunctional Nanoparticles", with a total grant of NOK 2.874 million in three years (March 2014 - November 2017). Pakistani labs have been equipped with latest optical imaging system, ultrasound with a wide range of transducers, Nanosizer, flow cytometer and most importantly cell culture lab. NILOP Nanomedicine Research Labs (NNRL) was inaugurated on 20.12.2017. The Norwegian side has used the project funds as seed money to purchase the intravital microscopy at NTNU.

The ultimate objective of this project is to develop multi-functional particles that has the ability to diagnose and treat different types of cancer at the tumour site.

An important element of this project was capacity-building of the NILOP and PAEC researcher, under which experts from Norway (NTNU), China (NCNST; National Centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Beijing), and UK (University College London) visited the facility and provided on site hands-on training to over 200 researchers. Salient achievements of this project are as follows:

 Innovative technique of ultrasound mediated drug delivery, established for the first time in Pakistan;  State of the art nanomedicine technology introduced in Pakistan; Enhanced “Therapeutic Effect” of anticancer drug at minimum dose for optimal effect; Equipment facilities established through the project can be used in diagnostic and research studies related to disease monitoring, e.g. Established animal facility will be helpful in pre- clinical trials; with expansion of the facilities in project, equipment acquired can be used to perform analysis for other activities at the department. It can also be used for performing different diagnostic evaluations for patients leading the project equipment utilization to maximum; importantly, this project has opened new avenues of collaboration with Norwegian counterparts and also with the scientists working in field of Nanotheranostics in different countries;

37  NILOP has enrolled two students in a PhD program who will continue doing research on ultrasound mediated drug delivery.

An important outcome of the project was that both institutions found this research relevant and useful, hence, plan to continue their collaboration in the form of exchange of technical experts, online discussions, student fellowships (under Pakistan Higher Education Commission's IRSIP Program), and joint publications. The end product of this project could unleash a new era of treating cancer.

According to the head of NILOP, this project is likely to continue until it has achieved its ultimate objective because recognizing the importance of this initiative, the Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan, has agreed to consider a proposal for funding from NIPLOP. Moreover, NILOP, NCNST, and USTC (University of Science and Technology of China) are in the process of submitting a joint proposal to Pakistan Science Foundation and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) for continuing research in this emerging field of science in Pakistan.

Capacity-building of Survey of Pakistan Similarly, Survey of Pakistan, in cooperation with Kartverket (The Norwegian Mapping Authority), has achieved several milestones, e.g., the former has become the first agency in Pakistan having 3D mapping capability; aerial photography; and satellite imagery. 20 staff members have been trained in the aforementioned modern surveying techniques. Its interactive web portal containing comprehensive geological data of Pakistan has also been designed and will soon be available for public use. Survey of Pakistan is also in the process of making the National Spatial Data Infrastructure available for public access, besides providing training in the latest surveying and mapping techniques. According to Survey of Pakistan officials, this project has provided them the foundation and impetus to further improve the skills and competence of their staff on regular basis.

Another important outcome of this cooperation is that Survey of Pakistan (SoP) and Kartverket are in contact with University of Bergen for designing and launching an undergraduate programme in Surveying at the Survey Training Institute (STI), Islamabad. If and when launched, this programme will be the first and only of its kind.

2.4.12 IMPACT11 Credible and Transparent Elections: The assistance has strengthened the electoral system in Pakistan to make it more credible and transparent. Another key highlight has been the formulation and implementation of ‘First Gender Mainstreaming Strategy’, aimed at creating increased political awareness, giving voice to women and thereby enhancing their participation in the electoral processes.

Cooperation for Improved Institutional Governance: Pak-Norway ‘Institutional Cooperation Programme’ (ICP) has raised institutional capacities and consequently delivery of services by 12 Pakistani institutions. The projects brought Norwegian counterparts to assist and improve the governance, planning and management processes of Pakistani institutions. The assistance enabled the relevant Pakistani institutions to develop competence in modern surveying techniques, internationally recognized quality certifications, cancer research, internationally recognized petroleum education, livelihood through better resource management and research. The local partners have become more responsive, efficient and transparent in their operations.

11 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

38 Models of Community-Driven Localized Governance: The assistance to Sungi has enabled CSO partners to demonstrate successful models of improved local governance by engaging communities, in particular women, and giving them voice and awareness to register their priorities on the local development agenda. Hundreds of communities in the Hazara region (of KP) have benefitted from this community-driven local development planning; thus, setting foundations for sustainable development. Another partner, i.e., DTCE, mobilized communities through CCBs (community citizen boards) to contribute and benefit from local development projects. The model demonstrated the true spirit of democratic and community owned development planning and execution, producing sustainable results.

Harmonisation of Donors Assistance: Norway's contribution to MDTF demonstrates harmonisation of assistance in line with Paris Declaration for greater and sustainable impact. It has enabled the state institutions reach out to disaster and insecurity affected communities in FATA, Balochistan and KP to rebuild infrastructure and revive livelihood opportunities for them. The assistance has, thus, contributed to bridging the trust gap between the state and the citizens.

Gender-Sensitive & Responsive Policing: The training and institutional support to police contributed to responsible and responsive policing, especially for GBV victims. The gender-based training content has become part of the police training curricula. Moreover, Pakistan Forum on Democratic Policing (PFDP) has been institutionalized to stimulate positive changes in the police culture. The two initiatives continue to benefit thousands of new recruits and in-service policemen. The UNODC assistance has strengthened police capacities in modern investigation methods, use of forensic technologies and techniques, including investigations on the modern lines. The assistance has helped to improve the success ratio of criminal investigations, convictions, thus contributing to positive public perceptions of the police department.

2.5 HUMAN RIGHTS SECTOR

Norway is one of the lead donors engaged in promoting human/women rights through its development cooperation initiatives, in line with national/international obligations. In Pakistan, Norway has worked with the government, the UN System and non-governmental partners to promote human, women, and children rights. Norway has also been active in forums that promote women rights in Pakistan, e.g. the Inter-Agency Gender and Development Group (INGAD). Norway has also supported a position in the UN Resident Coordinator's office. An overview of projects supported by Norway is as follows:

2.5.1 Human Rights Mass Awareness and Education Project, Government of Pakistan In cooperation with Swiss Development Cooperation, Norway co-financed "Human Rights Mass Awareness and Education Project", envisaged and implemented by Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights, as the lead implementing agency, which also involved Ministry of Education and Faculty of Law, University of Peshawar. The project comprised the following components:

 Local training for civil servants  Curriculum development for schools and colleges  Establishment of Human Rights Study Centre, the first of its kind in Pakistan, at University of Peshawar (the centre is currently closed, but the relevant department is making efforts to revive it in near future).

39 Norway provided NOK 7,085,050 (approx. PKR 57 million) for this project, while Government of Pakistan contributed NOK 430,972 (approx. PKR 3.25 million) for a period of five years, July 1999 - June 2004.

2.5.2 Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) HRCP is the leading non-governmental organisation in Pakistan that monitors, reports and contributes in redressing human rights violations in the country. It also provides policy advice to the government as well as to the non-governmental sector on the human rights issues and policies for national, regional, as well as international consumption. HRCP is governed by a 33-member council, who are elected from all over Pakistan every three years. 50% of council members are women. HRCP has four vice chairs, one from each province. HRCP has 6,000 members, who constitute the electoral college for the council. HRCP's council meets at least twice a year.

Norway has been supporting HRCP since 1987 as an institutional donor. Norway's grant from 1987 to 2018 totals to NOK 45.1 million, details of which are as follows:

1987 - 2011 NOK 27 million between 1987 to 2011 2012 - 2014 NOK 8.1 million ("Realization of Human Rights in Pakistan" Project) 2015 - 2016 NOK 6 million (co-financing with Embassy of Denmark amounting to iNOK 7 million).

The Goal of HRCP's work is: "To provide an informed and independent voice in the struggle for human rights and democratic development in Pakistan". HRCP pursues its mission by raising various human rights issues (rule of law, enforcement, fundamental rights and social and economic rights) publicly and, thus, creating a mass awareness in Pakistan. It uses print and electronic media as tools for carrying out its agenda. The organisation also publishes an annual publication, State of Human Rights in Pakistan, which contains reports and commentaries on issues like violence against women, death penalty, blasphemy laws, and minority rights, etc. HRCP distributes 3,000 copies of its coveted annual publication, i.e. the State of the Human Rights in Pakistan report. This report is also available on HRCP's website, and has a large circulation.

HRCP also receives project-based support HRCP is documenting human rights violations from a variety of from other international organisations, sources. This information is e.g. being used as background information in many of their publications. Photo: Jørn Wihcne such as EU, Embassy of Denmark, etc. Pedersen/RNE However, Norway has been HRCP's institutional donor since 1987 and has also co-financed construction of HRCP's head office building in Lahore. Continuing its support, Norway has provided NOK 4 million to HRCP for the period to 2017-2018.

40 2.5.3 AGHS Legal Aid Cell (AGHS) Norway has supported AGHS Legal Aid Cell, a national NGO founded by famous lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir (late), from 1987 to 2016. AGHS works for the promotion of human rights, with specific focus on providing free legal aid to women, besides running a shelter home for women. In total, Norway has provided NOK 38.20 million to AGHS, details of which are as follows: NOK 17.8 million (1987-2008); NOK 7.8 million (2009-2011); NOK 9.5 million (2001-2014); NOK 3.1 million (2015-2016).

The overall objective of this programme was: "to empower the disadvantaged using legal instruments and knowledge". The project targets are directly related to legal protection, counselling and paralegal services mainly for the following target group: (a) Women in crisis, threatened and whose lives or integrity may be at risk; (b) Bonded labour – mostly religious minorities and the poorest of the poor; (c) Child prisoners; (d) Death penalty prisoners; (e) Women in family disputes; (f) Women in prisons.

The core activities/outputs of the programme were provision of legal aid to target groups and training of women paralegals. To support these activities and as a bye-product of it, legal research, advocacy and producing training materials monitoring human rights issues, co-ordination with the media and other civil society organisations makes the programme holistic and effective. The thrust of all activities remained in and around Lahore but its impact is widespread because of advocacy, co- ordination with media and other civil society organisations. In addition, key state and civil society institutions that are directly relevant in enforcing and developing the concepts of rule of law are sensitized to the lack of access of marginalized individuals and groups to justice systems.

AGHS has also been instrumental in establishing important organisations that are fully autonomous like the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and DASTAK (a shelter home for women in crisis), and a regional human rights organisation, South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR). While AGHS has deepened its own legal-based approach, it maintains close coordination with a large network of civil society organisations for exchange of views/expertise and widening outreach.

The impact of AGHS in law related policies and reform has been significant. A major impact is reform in family laws and procedures in courts. Access to women has vastly improved in this area and a more rights-based approach has been adopted in the legal system (instead of a protectionist approach towards women).

2.5.4 Support to Shirkat Gah Norway has been funding Shirkat Gah (SG) for its different projects since 1996, and has provided a total of NOK 30.6 million from 1996 to 2017. The details are as under:

Women, Law and Status (WLS) Project Norway provided a total NOK 12.6 million to SG for implementation of phase 1-4 of WSL project during 1996-2007, funding details of which, are as follows: WLS-1 1996 - 1998 (NOK 1.4 million); WLS-2 from 1999 - 2002 (NOK 3 million); WLS-3 from 2002 - 2004 (NOK 3.9 million); WLS-4 from 2005 - 2007 (NOK 4.3 million).

41 Women Empowerment and Social Justice Program (WES-JP) From 2008 onward, Norway changed its modality and One of the Women Friendly Space (WFS), started supporting Shirkat Gah's multi-donor founded and supported by Shirkat Gah, is integrated program "Women Empowerment and functioning at Tindodag, Mingora, Swat, since Social Justice Program" or WES-JP and granted a total 2011. of NOK 18 million over the period 2008 to 2017. In Incharge of the WFS, Neelum Rahim, said this WFS provided women of the area a platform to WES-JP Phase-1 (2008-10), the focus was to build vent out their issues, such as domestic violence capacity of local organisations and duty-bearers in 35 and forced marriages, being the most common districts; however, not all rights were addressed in ones. She said approximately 500 women each district. Taking forward these lessons, the phase- visited this WFP per month, between 9 am to 5 pm. The WFS also runs a referral system, under 2, created multi-stakeholder forums, the District Core which, it refers affected women to lawyers, Groups (DCGs), and Local Support Committees (LSC) government offices, besides providing them for its Women Friendly Spaces. The phase-3 (2014- training and sensitizing on their rights and also 2016) consolidated the work in 12 districts in order to organizing events such as Open Mic. have a community accountability of duty-bearers and The three purple leaders said they went door to service providers at the district level and a well make door to promote women empowerment, education, rights awareness, etc. They said aware community of its rights. For Phase-1, Phase-2 Shirkat Gah should organise more trainings for (2011-2014) and Phase-3 (2014-2017) of WES-JP, their capacity building. Norway provided NOK 3 million, NOK 6 million, and NOK 9 million, respectively.

Continuing its support to Shirkat Gah, Norway has signed a contract with the organisation worth NOK 9 million for a period of three years, 2018 - 2021. The goal of the project is to "Empower women with new knowledge, skills, allies and support mechanisms to claim rights; multiply & amplify voices for good governance & gender equality, create a conducive policy and community environment for women's empowerment in Pakistan". Under this project, women will be capacitated on issues of gender, Personal Status Law (PSL), gender-based violence, Sexual & Reproductive Health, negative impact of early age/ forced marriages, family planning and abortion. They will be trained in documentation of deaths, births, marriages & divorces that helps in collecting data at the lower administrative levels of district. Obtaining an identity card opens many women to claim their voting rights and rights to social services.

Shirkat Gah's collaborative work with other NGOs and various tiers of the government helps in promoting women's rights, peace, countering religious extremism, and balancing patriarchal forces. This networking is also instrumental in contributing to various laws in different provinces on Domestic Violence, Child Marriage and Women Protection. As per the proposal, the target includes 70,000 citizens, at least 70% women, in eight districts across Pakistan's four provinces; 20 million indirectly, 200 media personnel and duty bearers (including 50 women legislators; federal & provincial human rights/women's commissions and SG staff.

Shirkat Gah is also receiving project-based funding from the EU, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, IDRC/Canada, Oxfam-Novib, CIDA-Canada, Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), HBF- Germany, and UN Trust Fund for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

2.5.5 Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) - Promoting Gender Justice Programme Norway provided NOK 14.5 million to the Norwegian Church Aid for implementation of "Gender Justice Project", from 2010 to 2013. The NCA implemented this programme through five local partners (Sungi, SAP-PK, Khwendo Kor, Aurat Foundation, Pakistan Village Development Programme) in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

42 According to NCA, this project prevented 659 forced marriages and enabled 558 women to obtain their inheritance. It engaged 676 men and 36 women religious leaders who made 8,512 statements and sermons denouncing Gender-based Violence (GBV). Urged by local communities, Layyah Revenue Department introduced gender sensitive practices in their offices.

The Gender Justice Project effectively mobilized communities for using Panchayat and Jirga as Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. As a result of this effort, 67% disputes were resolved in favour of women through the ADR mechanisms. In addition, 484 women were provided free legal support. Lastly, the Project effectively lobbied towards the enactment of 7 national and provincial laws with specific focus on the welfare of women.

2.5.6 Medicins du Monde (MdM) - House of Peace (Dar-ul-Aman; DUA) Norway provided NOK 7.2 million to Medicins du Monde (MdM) for implementation of House of Peace (Dar-ul-Aman) Project during 2011 - 2015. This overall objective of project was "To contribute to the physical, mental and social wellbeing of women victims of gender-based violence and their children within DUAs". Implemented in cooperation with Punjab Social Welfare Department, the total number of residents sheltered in the 24 DUAs where MdM provided direct technical support was 28,034, including 7,338 children. 10,372 women received medical services; 7,299 attended counselling sessions with the Psychologists; while, 9,017 were assisted by professional lawyers.

The project has left a pool of trained 480 staff members, 158 doctors, 138 psychologists, 244 lawyers, and 534 volunteers, besides Mumkin Alliance, a network comprising 23 member CSOs, which will continue to work with the DUAs in collaboration with Punjab Social Welfare Department. This project was co-funded by the Embassy of Denmark in Pakistan.

During the course of project implementation, following operational and strategic documents were developed and implemented to improve the performance of DUAs in Punjab: (a) operational/financial guidelines 2007; (b) Manuals for service provision 2009; (c) General Minimum Standards 2011; (d) Protection Minimum Standards 2013; (e) Protection guidelines 2014; (f) New guidebook 2015.

The main reasons for admission in DUAs are: forced marriage, divorce request and consequent disputes with the in-law or own family, domestic violence, rape and other forms of GBV perpetuated by some relatives or people external to the family.

2.5.7 Aurat Foundation With Norway's support, Aurat Foundation (AF) worked for the promotion of gender equality awareness at the decision-making level in Pakistan through legislative monitoring and advocacy on women’s legal and political rights. AF is one of the pioneer women rights organisations in Pakistan. For more than two decades, the organisation has been working for the promotion and protection of women rights in Pakistan. The AF's pioneering work with Norway's support pertains to lobbying with the legislative assemblies at federal/provincial level to advocate for amendments as well as formulation new pro-women laws in Pakistan.

Norway started supporting AF in 1997. Norway provided NOK 14.5 million to AF for its "Legislative Watch Programme" that started in March 1996 and ended in February 2013. This programme aimed at contributing to gender sensitive legislation in Pakistan through policy level advocacy and lobbying with law-makers and awareness-raising among them with regard to women issues. The Legislative Watch Programme achieved important results/outcomes. It made a significant contribution towards equality in legal status for women, e.g. the positive amendments in the Qisas and Diyat provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) relating to ‘honour’ crimes in 2004; and amendments in two of the Hudood Ordinances. It also contributed to the capacity development of women politicians to 43

strengthen their position in political parties. Furthermore, through Focus Group Discussions, inputs were given to improving national policies and institutions for women. The Legislative Watch Programme (LWP) has contributed immensely to creating a more favourable environment in Pakistan for women and minorities through advocacy interventions and public awareness activities (rallies, press conferences and seminars) on issues like violence against religious extremism, women’s representation in local governments, joint electorate, Hasba Bill, repealing of Hudood Ordinance and ‘honour’ killings.

Norway provided a grant of NOK 8.8 million for the next phase of the same programme, from 2012-14.

2.5.8 Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC) - Gender Research Programme Support to SPDC's "Gender Research Programme" is yet another manifestation of Norway's unwavering commitment toward promoting gender equality. Norway provided NOK 10.7 million over a period of five years, 2008-2013, to SPDC for conducting, publishing and disseminating research products with the goal to, "develop a research-based knowledge bank that addresses the issue how macroeconomic policy processes can be transformed into more inclusive and negotiated processes.” A list of research topics covered under this programme is as follows:

 Violence Against Women with a particular focus on the Cost of VAW: A case study of Karachi  Public Spending on Education and Health in Pakistan: A Dynamic Investigation through Gender Lens  Evaluating Gender Dimensions of Social Safety Nets Programmes in Pakistan  Gender Dimension of Development Induced Displacement and Resettlement: A Case of Lyari Expressway in Karachi  A Study of Socio-Economic Characteristics of Women-Headed Households in Pakistan (Baseline survey report)  A Study of Socio-Economic Characteristics of Women-Headed Households in Pakistan (Final report)  The Working and Living Conditions of Women Domestic Workers in Pakistan  Trade Liberalization and Gender Dynamics of Employment in Pakistan  Engendering Taxation Structure and Expenditure Priorities  Gender implications of Monetary Policy: Issues and Remedies  Trade Liberalization, Economic Growth and Gender in Pakistan

2.5.9 UN WOMEN - Women Economic Empowerment-1 Norway provided NOK 5 million to UN WOMEN to implement Phase-1 of its Project, titled, "Towards UN-Women is implementing this project through Gender Equality: Women's Economic HomeNet, a Lahore-based NGO, which is working exclusive to improve the lives of home-based Empowerment - Home-Based Workers", from 2008 workers (HBWs). HomeNet works through its to 2012. The objective of this project was: "to partner organisations and currently has 60 paid increase the number of legal frameworks that member organisations. HomeNet works at gross- promote women's human rights and eliminate root level directly with the HBWs as well as at the policy level with provincial governments. Owing to gender inequality through support for a policy on tireless efforts of HomeNet, the Punjab and Sindh home-based workers (HBWs). The project activities governments have approved Homebased Workers were directed towards working for improving the Policy. The UN Women support has helped position of Home-Based Workers (HBWs) by HomeNet Pakistan evolved into a lead enhancing their skills, creating livelihood representative voice for the rights of HBWs in Pakistan. opportunities, and access to social security and

44 protection as well as microfinance. It also focused on generating gender disaggregated data for Women Economic Empowerment (WEE), especially on HBWs and its use by policy makers and other stakeholders. The project paved way for legislation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh assemblies in 2009 and 2010. A study on the socio-economic conditions and issues facing HBWs aided the policy makers in the development of provincial policy drafts. The project facilitated institutionalization to support policy adoption and implementation through the formation of HBW task forces and HBW Provincial Work Councils in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2011 and 2012.

Norway provided NOK 15 million to UN WOMEN to implement Phase-2 of its Project, titled, "Women Economic Empowerment-2", from 2012 to 2016. The project encountered delays for a variety of reasons and ended in June 2016. This project contributed to the formulation, enactment and implementation of laws and policies for the home-based workers (HBWs) at provincial level. In addition, provincial economic frameworks incorporating HBWs concerns in Punjab and Sindh were developed, which practically meant more opportunities for HBWs and improved availability of WEE data. The project was implemented in cooperation with 11 partners in the four provinces and promoted economic empowerment of more than 30,000 informal women workers. As a result of this project, HBWs Bill has been passed by the interim provincial cabinet of Punjab; HBWs revised policy is with Chief Minister for clearance; and MoU between Labour & Human Resource Department Sindh and UN Women to support registration of 10,000 HBWs and increasing their access to social security benefits has been signed. Punjab Government has allocated PKR 75 million for women HBWs skill enhancement by opening five centres in Chiniot and Rajanpur; while, Sindh Government dedicated one of its centres in 2014 to display HBWs products in Karachi. The project also formed 17 District Action Committees (DACs) of HBWs in Sindh and Punjab, which are playing an important role in resolving HBWs social and economic issues. Skills development training has been provided to approximately 4,000 HBWs in Sindh and Punjab. Market access for HBWs has been enhanced by providing training to 600 women HBWs and establishing Business Growth Centres in Karachi and Lahore. HBWs linkages have also been established to South Punjab Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry to access capacity enhancement initiatives and markets. In order to enhance the understanding on women economic empowerment issues within government system, 150 government staff from different provincial department has been provided training in Sindh and Punjab.

Norway has committed to provide NOK 15 million for the phase 3 of the Women Economic Empowerment Project, to be implemented from 2017 to 2019. In this phase, geographic coverage of the project will be expanded to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and FATA, while the groups earlier excluded, i.e., HIV+, transgender and disabled, will also be approached in this phase. In addition to implementing core activities, efforts on legislation on HBWs will continue in Sindh and Punjab.

2.5.10 UN WOMEN - Support for the position of Gender Advisor in UNRC Office In line with Norway's commitment to gender equality, NOK 1.12 million was provided through UN WOMEN to support a full-time position of Gender Advisor in the UN Resident Coordinator's office from 2010 - 2012. The Gender Advisor raised gender issues on behalf of the UN System at various forums, including government at national and international level. The Gender Advisor ensured that all UN projects and programs incorporated gender as a cross cutting issue and UN Women was able to fulfil its mandate to support the UN System in Pakistan towards gender equality. This support led to the development of the UN system-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, promoting common performance standards for gender related work in all UN entities.

45

2.5.11 Support to SAHIL SAHIL, a national NGOs, working against child sexual abuse, has been Norway's partner since 1997 and has received NOK 38,056,847 to implement a number of its projects.

Sahil was registered on 12 April 1997 with the mission to mainstream the issue of child sexual abuse (CSA), which is considered to be a big taboo even nowadays. In order to set its direction right, Sahil conducted a community survey in Islamabad involving mothers, who confirmed that: (1) CSA existed as an issue; (2) awareness be raised through information sharing; (3) teachers be used for information sharing/awareness raising. Based upon these findings, Sahil developed its first training manual, called 'Meri Hifazat' (My Protection), which it introduced in one school in Islamabad. In order to make the teaching of Meri Hifazat effective, Sahil started training the teachers in its beneficiary schools and has trained 29,000 teachers since year 2000. Besides awareness raising and highlighting CSA as an issue in the society, Sahil also started providing legal aid to the victims, which exposed its staff to multiple challenges, including threats and even attacks from power groups.

Sahil certainly deserves the credit for bringing CSA to the mainstream as it was almost impossible to talk about CSA when Sahil started working on this issue. Sahil is currently using print, electronic, as well as social media sources to highlight this issue and draw the attention of law enforcers, judiciary, and policy makers to the plight of victims. Sahil, through its training programmes tailored for media personnel, has provided an alternative discourse to journalists for reporting on the CSA cases. It has trained 35 crimes reporters from Kashmir, Multan, Lahore, Dadu, Hyderabad, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. It has also provided training to police personnel on how to deal with CSA cases.

In addition to working at operational level, Sahil also operates at the policy level. Sahil is member of the working group on CSA, formed by the National Commission on Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD). This working group comprises: Rozan, SACH, Sahil, Save the Children, Pakistan Paediatric Association. Sahil has also worked with NCCWD to frame laws on Commercial & Sexual Exploitation of Children. The role of NCCWD has now been taken over by the Ministry of Human Rights. Sahil is also on the Consultative Body of M/o Human Rights and has been consulted by the Ministry in the wake of the recent Zainab case in Kasur to review the National Action Plan for Children (NAPC). Sahil has also worked with Ulema (Islamic religious scholars) on child protection issues through sensitization of 203 Ulema in 4 tehsils of district Rahim Yar Khan - February 2017;

In addition to foreign donors, Sahil also receives small donations from individuals; some of them are unknown because the donors do not want to reveal their identity. Following the Zainab case, Sahil has emerged as a leading child rights organisation. It received wider media coverage and contributed to the public discourse through various media sources. Sahil representatives were invited (free of cost) as guest speakers by BBC, VoA, Power Radio 99, Radio Mashal, NEO TV, GEO News, Roze TV, Dunya TV, Capital TV, GEO News, Pak News, DAWN TV, and News 5. As a result, Sahil has also started receiving an increased number of requests for training, awareness raising sessions on the CSA from different quarters.

 In addition to cooperating with likeminded organisations, Sahil also collaborates with academia and some of its cooperating partners include: University of Liverpool; University of Texas, Austin; NHS, UK; Dublin City University; University of Missouri, Columbia; 153 students from 13 national universities, 2 colleges and 1 school have visited and consulted Sahil in connection with their research. Pakistan Television has aired animations developed by Sahil to promote awareness regarding CSA issues.

46  Sahil's contribution has been recognized at the national level, for which it has received:

o Human Rights Award 2016, by the Ministry of Human Rights o MoU with Economic Affairs Division signed in March 2017 – permission to work all over Pakistan

Norway has been the major, longstanding and institutional donor of Sahil, but the latter has also received support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2002 - 2005), the European Union (2012-2014), Canada (2009 - 2016). Following the Zainab case, Sahil has started receiving small donations from various individuals and organisations, which manifest public recognition of Sahil's image as a leading CSA organisation.

2.5.12 SAHIL - Responsive Education and Awareness for Child Protection (REAP) Phase-2 Norway provided NOK 7 million to Sahil for implementation of Phase-2 of its "Responsive Education and Awareness for Child Protection (REAP)" Project with the objective, "to develop a protective environment for the children free from all forms of violence, especially Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)", from July 2015 to July 2018. Expected effects for the target group of the project outcomes are as under:

 Vulnerability of children to all forms of abuse especially child sexual abuse is addressed;  To create effective and sustainable mechanisms for protection of children against abuse;  To expand outreach by strengthening capacity of local organisations to protect children against all forms of violence and sexual abuse.

Sahil recognizes that it has evolved and grown over the years mainly due to Norway's support. Sahil considers it a giant leap that it was, first, able to establish offices in the four provinces with Norway's support, which significantly increased its outreach and effectiveness all over the country; and secondly and more recently, Sahil has gone down to the community level and has launched its activities in 216 villages spread in 13 districts in all four provinces of Pakistan. At the community level, Sahil is holding capacity building / awareness raising sessions; it has created child protection networks comprising children, parents, activists, local health workers, and Imams (prayer-leaders), in its beneficiary villages.

2.5.13 Aga Khan Cultural Services-Pakistan - Women Economic Empowerment Norway provided NOK 7.6 million to Aga Khan Cultural Services-Pakistan (AKCSP) to implement two phases of "Women Economic Empowerment (CIQAM)" Programme in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral from 2008 to 2017. This project is a result of AKCSP’s initiative to induct women workers during the restoration of Baltit and Altit Fort in Hunza. With the passage of time, these women workers were trained in technical and vocational skills of women artisans in unconventional skills such as carpentry, masonry, welding, topographic surveying, music instrument making, electrification, housekeeping, tour guiding, and hospitality; it has so far trained over 300 young women. Under this project, 4 women and 2 men carpenters received training in Stavanger, Norway; while the women- led enterprise, CIQAM, generated net income of PKR 1 million.

47 If you visit Karimabad, you should also visit CIQAM. The Social Enterprise employs more than 90 women who have been trained in skills such as carpentry, masonry, electrification, plumbing, surveying and furniture design. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

CIQAM has become a major source of women empowerment as it has provided them income opportunities and exposure to a set of different social norms. CIQAM’s interventions have harnessed women’s potential and their participation particularly in market-based income generating activities. Establishment of over 70 new local small businesses by young women during 2009–18 in Hunza alone is a clear indication of women assertiveness for greater participation in local economy and social action. Safina’s Café, one of the famous cafes among tourists in Hunza, has received investment pledges of PKR 3 million recently. Ms. Safina was one of the five women trained by CIQAM in hospitality during 2009. Similarly, two of the women carpentry trainees have been hired by a local carpentry workshop owned by two young men in Hunza. More than 150 CIQAM trained women are now engaged in different income earning activities in Shigar, Khaplu, Ghizar, Gilgit and Hunza. During the 9 years of the project period, 115 project staff received NOK 3.30 million (approx. PKR 41.6) million and the project purchased over 37,000 CFT greenwood at a cost of NOK 1.60 million (approx. PKR 20 million) from 190 individuals and sold products and services at NOK 4.40 million (approx. PKR 55 million). CIQAM carpentry has earned a gross revenue of NOK 237,000 (approx. PKR 3 million) at the end of May 2018 against the budgeted target of NOK 220,400 (approx. PKR 2.8 million) and it is expected to generate NOK 509,000 (approx. PKR 8 million) by the end of 2018. CIQAM topographic team has established itself as a reliable quality service delivery unit. CIQAM survey team has received requests for documentation of heritage assets from Gilgit-

48 Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir governments apart from its continuous engagement in Lahore Fort.

Leif Larsen Music Centre (LLMC), established in memory of late Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Leif Larsen, in 2016, has so far provided training to 32 young boys and girls in traditional music of Gilgit-Baltistan. Out of the total, 12 (6 girls and 6 boys) form the core team who play Rubab, Zhigini, Charda, Tumbak and Daf and sing local songs. This core team has performed at Al-Hamra Lahore, Australian High Commission, Serena Hotel Islamabad, Royal Norwegian Embassy (Norwegian National Day 2018), and during President Mamnun Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan's visit to Hunza in August and October 2017, respectively. The core is also providing training to 20 school students apart from performing for visitors at LLMC. Visitors make donations which are used to support core team educational expenses including transport to school, school/college monthly tuition fee, books and uniform. As a result, 12 core team members are financing their education by practicing and performing traditional music. Induction of young girls as music trainees was a major breakthrough for CIQAM as there was strong resistance within community; however, incentivized approached helped to get parents and students' support for this initiative.

The Leif Larsen Music Centre in Karimabad is a learning hub for youth who are interested in traditional music. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

2.5.14 Aga Khan Cultural Services-Pakistan (AKCSP) - Women Economic Empowerment-2 Norway has provided NOK 6.1 million to AKCSP to implement Phase-2 of "Women Economic Empowerment" Project during 2012-14. The project is making continuous impact on current socio- cultural conditions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC). CIQAM activities have been regularly visited by government authorities, development organisations and local institutions and are highlighted in the national as well as local media. At the same time parents' willingness to allow over 30 women carpenters and surveyors of CIQAM, including 7 trainee women from Chitral, to pursue 3-months of training at Mohkam Furnishers Lahore and Lahore Fort is an indication of increasing women participation in market driven activities.

More than 21,000 visitors to Altit Fort during 2016 also visited CIQAM activities including Kha Basi Cafe, Leif Larsen Music Centre and CIQAM Crafts, including representatives of Noor Traditions, a leading crafts manufacturer of Pakistan; Managing Director Jinnah University; owner of Mohkam Furnishers and leading tour operators which helped to promote CIQAM objectives and enhanced acceptance and recognition of women's work.

49 CIQAM activities are also creating positive results for the environment as more than 20 CIQAM women are now shareholders in Ahmedabad Power Utility Company promoting clean energy. At the same time, CIQAM has made necessary arrangements to plant 3,000 plants in Ahmedabad together with Ahmedabad Development Organisation during the plantation season 2016-17.

2.5.15 Support to International Labour Organisation (ILO) Under an agreement dated 20.08.2001, Norway provided NOK 2.25 million to Phase-1 of ILO's International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), titled: "Activating Media in Combating Worst Forms of Child Labour", implemented by ILO Pakistan between August 2001 and August 2003. ILO implemented this programme in partnership with the Pakistani Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Pakistan Television and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Pakistan). This support was in line with a MoU signed between the Government of Pakistan and ILO on 21.06.1994, extended to 21.08.1996, regarding effective elimination of worst forms of child labour.

This programme contributed to enhancing capacity of media professionals and institutions to effectively advocate the implementation of ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (C182). As a result of this programme, the M/o Information & Broadcasting incorporated the subject of child labour in the training curricula of Pakistan Television, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and Press Information Department training academies. 550 media personnel received training on how to effectively highlight issues pertaining to worst forms of child labour. The programme also worked to mobilize civil society partners and stakeholders against worst forms of child labour, besides raising awareness among general public and communities on this subject, with a view to preparing ground for ratification of relevant ILO Conventions.

Under the agreement dated 18.07.2006, Norway provided NOK 7.4 million to Phase-2 of ILO's International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC), titled: "Activating Media in Combating Worst Forms of Child Labour", implemented by ILO Pakistan between June 2006 and June 2009. ILO implemented this programme in partnership with the Pakistani Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Pakistan Television and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Pakistan).

2.5.16 Support to Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) SPARC is a national NGO, which is working for the promotion and protection of children’s rights in Pakistan. Norway provided NOK 32.8 million to SPARC from 1999 to 2013. During this period, SPARC has regularly published and disseminated yearly, 'State of Pakistan's Children' report. It also engaged with other CSOs and public representatives and lobbied for child-friendly legislation in Pakistan. SPARC also prepared and disseminated NGO Alternative Report on UN CRC (Convention on the Rights of the Child) as well as NGO Report on UPR (Universal Period Review (Human Rights Council)). SPARC in collaboration with other CSOs actively advocated for the promulgation of Child Protection Bill and Ratification of UNCRC Optional Protocols vis-à-vis the Senate Committee on Human Rights, the M/o Social Welfare, and the Foreign Office. Development and introduction of mechanisms for child protection in emergency situations in collaboration with UNICEF, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and relevant government and civil society machinery was an important milestone achieved by SPARC. It also supported Children's Parliament for long time to flag children issues at national and international level. SPARC also contributed to implementation of Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (JJSO) 2000, due to which a significant decrease in the number of juvenile prisoners was recorded in the ensuing years. It also collaborated with institutions involved in the implementation of JJSO to develop their capacities. SPARC also advocated for elimination of corporal punishment and provision of compulsory primary education, besides lobbying against child labour and other harmful practices against children.

50 2.5.17 IMPACT12 Strengthening Regulatory Environment & Public-CSO Partnerships: The impact of support to public and non-public stakeholders is evident in multiple ways. Foremost, is the capacity building of public agencies, particularly the M/o Law Justice & Human Rights, Department of Labour, Social Welfare and Women Development Departments. The assistance has contributed to critical appraisal and successful lobbying to amend regulations around violence against women and children, formal recognition of home-based workers (HBWs), and others. The regulatory changes have created a sense of added protection for women, children and HBWs; it has successfully deterred the potential offenders abusing women, children and HBWs. The assistance has contributed to greater acceptance and positive partnerships between government and civil society stakeholders for advocacy, research, and training of government functionaries.

Recognition of and Space for Civil Society Contributions: The assistance has been instrumental in strengthening CSOs to enable their greater recognition for promotion of human rights, undertaking credible research, monitoring, reporting and redressal of violations, and extend legal and protective assistance to the GBV victims for survival and rehabilitation. It was due to the Norwegian assistance that civil society organisations such as HRCP, Shirkat Gah, AGHS Legal Aid Cell, HBW Network, SHAIL and SPARC could become a credible and potent voice for women, children and others whose rights were abused. SAHIL has demonstrated effectiveness of its work through extensive media coverage of CSA cases. These partners were able to produce researches that gained national and international recognition and citations. The partners were able to assist the government to report on commitments made to international conventions, e.g. human rights, children rights, EVAW, etc. Another contribution has been the mass mobilization of interest groups and public at large to lobby with the government to address rights violations either by the state or non-state actors. Media partnerships as well as other interventions have been implemented to raise mass awareness on rights, protection, and remedies available to the ones whose rights have been violated.

Economic Empowerment & Support to Victims of Violence and Abuse: Coming from rural and poor backgrounds, young women of northern Pakistan have received training in unconventional skills such as carpentry, welding, masonry, topographic surveying, which has given them confidence in their abilities and empowered them to break social taboos. Their business being run under the auspices of CIQAM is growing against all odds, while the concept is contributing to promoting a pro-women social order.

The assistance strengthened the services and standards of care in the public domain such as Dar-ul- Aman, benefitting hundreds of thousands of women and children. Similarly, the assistance enabled CSO partners to set up and manage a variety of platforms (WFS, CFC, and others) to assist the victims of violence and abuse. The services included legal assistance, protection and rehabilitation of victims/survivors, training and linkages to markets, and others. These services continue to benefit thousands of women and children. The assistance has contributed to bringing sensitive issues, such as GBV, CSA, and others, in the mainstream discourse and debate. It encouraged the victims to speak up and seek justice, which is evident from increased number of reported cases of abuse and violence against women, children and other vulnerable groups, such as minorities.

12 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

51 2.6 HEALTH SECTOR

Pakistan’s life expectancy is the lowest in the region; infant mortality is extremely high -- 400,000 children die every year of diarrhoea alone, and one in 23 women die during childbirth. This dismal state, despite the presence of a well-developed three-tiered health delivery network, points towards massive malfunctioning, corruption and lack of accountability. Dr. Saima Altaf, who spent a year at the Woodrow Wilson Centre on her research on Pakistani health governance, concludes that since 9/11 Pakistan has received US$ 10 billion in foreign aid in health and population from the United States alone but had little to show for it (http://www.intellectmag.com/Development%20Studies.html).

In order to bolster the efforts by the Government of Pakistan in the health sector, Norway supported the Government's population planning programme during early 1970s, while a couple of NGOs were provided assistance to combat AIDS in mid-90s. The most recent support to health sector came as a result of Norway-Pakistan Partnership Initiative (NPPI), a special initiative launched by a former Prime Minister of Norway Mr Jens Stoltenberg, for which Pakistan was chosen as one of the pilot countries. In the recent past, Norway also funded a local NGO to implement a three-year project on sexual & reproductive health. An overview of Norway-funded health projects is as follows:

2.6.1 National Population Planning Programme From July 1975 to June 1979, Norway supported National Population Planning Programme of Pakistan, through UNFPA with a grant of NOK 23 million.

Under this programme, the Government of Pakistan covered the costs of medicine, clinical equipment, contraceptives and transport, while the Norwegian grant was used to cover the running costs of the clinics, as the Government of Pakistan aims at increasing the number of family welfare clinics from 550 to 1,300 during 1975 with a view to making family planning services more accessible to the population by bringing the clinic-population ratio down to about 55,000 people per clinic.

2.6.2 UNAIDS Norway provided NOK 1.5 million to UNAIDS Pakistan during 2001-2004 to implement "UNAIDS Joint Programme" that in particular aimed at supporting the efforts by the Government of Pakistan to formulate a national plan of action for the disease. This project played a catalytic role vis-à-vis National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and its partner civil society organisations. The project also contributed to capacity-building of the NACP, which is the apex body on HIV/AIDS-related issues in Pakistan. The project also involved the CSOs in implementation, thus, extending the outreach at the grassroots level.

Prior to this project, Norway had supported the National AIDS Control Programme in 1993 with NOK 3.73 million and in 1994 with NOK 0.405 million, and in 1995-96 with NOK 1.08 million.

2.6.3 Norway-Pakistan Partnership Initiative (NPPI) When the Norwegian prime minister launched a special initiative to support maternal and child health (MDG-4 & 5), Pakistan was chosen as one of the partner countries. Therefore, in partnership with federal and provincial MNCH cells, the NPPI was launched in ten districts of Sindh in 2008, for which Norway committed NOK 250 million through UNDP as the administering/coordinating agency, while the project was implemented by three UN agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO).

For a variety of reasons, the Embassy decided to close down NPPI in 2014 while it had used only NOK 137 million out of committed amount. Nonetheless, the NPPI achieved most of the intended results and left a number of lessons and models for the Sindh Government as well as the UN partner agencies to follow up and build their future programming on. Under NPPI, public-private partnership was promoted in Sindh; a mechanism for providing financial incentives to motivate pregnant women

52 to go to hospital for delivery was developed and piloted under NPPI. The NPPI was the maiden programme implemented by three UN agencies under the One UN umbrella in Pakistan, and thus, promoted coordination among UN agencies as well as between the UN and Sindh Health Department.

2.6.4 IDRAK Development Foundation (IDRAK) Norway has provided NOK 5.7 million to IDRAK, a national NGO, to implement a 3-year project titled "Bridging Gap Between Demand and Supply Pertinent to Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Islamabad", from November 2014 to December 2017. This project aims at increasing the knowledge of beneficiaries on SRHR issues. It is being implemented in 32 public health facilities, 10 public and private universities, 25 public/private schools/colleges, and 32 communities in catchment areas of these public health facilities in Islamabad Capital Territory.

The project was designed with multi-pronged approaches to promote various components of SRHR, including prevention from communicable diseases focusing on Hepatitis-C, pubertal issues, sexually transmitted infections and mother and child healthcare. The project’s interventions with stakeholders including public sector health entities, academic institutions as well as structures with communities in terms of Community Groups and Community Based organisation have reached levels where they have started realizing the importance of the thematic areas of the project. In some of the cases, thematic areas were found to be incorporated in the existing interventions of the public sector. Besides Social Welfare Department, GoP has also involved IDRAK in deriving and pre-testing the psycho-social programme within academic institutions to be replicated across ICT.

2.6.5 Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, Garamchashma - Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan Norway has provided NOK 2,350,000 for the restoration, and insulation of THQ Hospital, Garamchashma in Chitral. This is an example of public-private partnership forged between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Department and the Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan (AKHSP) through an MoU. The KP Government has undertaken the responsibility to pay staff salaries and also contribute to the running cost of the hospital with a view to making this partnership sustainable. This hospital is expected to serve not only the people of Garamchashma, but also a number of villages surrounding Garamchashma. The hospital is going to benefit all, but especially women and children of the area. With modern equipment and facilitates, the hospital is now able to treat those patients who earlier had to travel all the way to Chitral city for treatment.

2.6.6 IMPACT13 Norway's support to health sector has contributed to:

Institution strengthening - capacity of Sindh Health Department to implement programmes under public-private partnership through NPPI enhanced; promoted One UN concept in Pakistan; IDRAK developed institutional competence of Basic Health Units (BHUs), schools/colleges, and universities in Islamabad with regard to SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights) issues; provision of running costs for 1300 family planning clinics back in mid-70s contributed to family planning in Pakistan;

13 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

53 Awareness raising - IDRAK raised awareness among students of schools, colleges, universities as well as staff working at BHUs with regard to SRHR issues; awareness raising campaign conducted under NPPI with regard to MNCH issues using a behavioural communication strategy;

Public-Private Partnership - Aga Khan Health Services-Pakistan (AKHSP) and KP Health Department signed a MoU for restoration of THQ Hospital Garamchashma, while Norway facilitated this partnership by funding restoration and insulation of the hospital building. This hospital serves patients from Garamchashma and its surrounding areas but is a blessing for women who earlier had to go to Chitral city for delivering babies. Norway's support has not only facilitated public-private partnership, but has also created a facility for women at their doorstep for the years to come, as the government has taken responsibility for providing salaries and running costs of the hospital.

2.7 CULTURE SECTOR

Norway can rightly be termed as the lead donor when it comes to supporting the culture sector in Pakistan and promoting cultural exchange between Norway and Pakistan. Norway's support to the culture sector in Pakistan aims at using culture as a tool for poverty alleviation and enhancing Pakistani nation's pride in its cultural heritage, traditions and practices, besides promoting cross- cultural understanding and people-to-people contact between Norway and Pakistan. For this purpose, Norway forged partnerships with the Government of Pakistan (Lok Virsa, Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Department of Archaeology and Museums), UNESCO Pakistan, Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCSP), Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, and Ajoka Theatre and has supported projects focusing on built-heritage and performing arts. A brief overview of partners and their projects is given below:

2.7.1 Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage) The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage. It was established in 1974 with the mandate to research, collect, document, communicate, preserve and promote tangible and in-tangible heritage of Pakistan.

Norway supported institutional cooperation between Lok Virsa and Riksantikvaren (Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage) with a grant amounting to NOK 11.5 million between 2006 to 2010. Under this cooperation, both lead institutions designed and implemented projects in Pakistan and Norway, including cultural exchange between the two countries. Rikskonsertene (Concerts Norway, M/o Culture) was also a partner in this programme.

The programme promoted cultural relations between the two countries, besides building Lok Virsa's capacity to implement development projects in future.

2.7.2 Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Ministry of Culture Norway provided NOK 811.520 to Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), an autonomous arm of the Ministry of Culture, to implement the "PNCA Drama Classes" Project during 2002 - 2004. Under this project, PNCA ran a one-year diploma course in theatre acting and directing; established Ibsen Drama Club, which staged Ibsen dramas; and also held a number of performances in different cities of Pakistan to create awareness and promote pressing social issues.

54 2.7.3 UNESCO Pakistan for Shish Mahal, Lahore Fort Responding positively to UNESCO Pakistan's request dated 16.05.2002, seeking financial assistance for "Conservation of Lahore Fort", Norway provided NOK 7 million under an agreement dated 31.10.2002, to be used during November 2002 to October 2003. This project was in line with two policy documents: (MoU between UNESCO and the Government of Pakistan, dated 04.10.2002; (2) Pak-Norway MoU on Cultural Cooperation of 1997. The objective of this project was to initiate the process of conservation and preservation of Lahore Fort, which is on the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger through initiation of immediate conservation of Shish Mahal of the Lahore Fort, besides developing a Master Plan for the conservation and preservation of the Fort.

In order to ensure sustainability of the The Punjab Government has handed over the management of project, Norway in reference to MoUs Lahore Fort to LCWA. It is important to mention that Punjab between UNESCO and the Government Government, in light of the master plan for Lahore Fort of Pakistan requested confirmation developed by UNESCO with Norwegian funding in early 2000, launched a special project worth PKR 300 million, revised to PKR from the Government with regard to 960 million in 2017, for restoration and conservation of Lahore making appropriate arrangements to Fort. ensure that income from the Fort (sale According to an official of Department of Archaeology & Museum of tickets, etc.) does not land in the (DoAM), Mr Maqsood Alam, 'this master plan is relevant even national exchequer, but is used for today and they consult it while prioritizing their work'. regular maintenance of the Fort.

UNESCO implemented this project in collaboration with Directorate of Archaeology & Museums (DoAM) and technical assistance from the Norwegian Directorate of Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren).

In view of positive results and identified needs, Norway also funded phase-II of the project from November 2004 to October 2006 with a grant worth NOK 4.6 million.

2.7.4 Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCSP) Norway has been funding the AKCSP since 1993 and has co-funded projects worth NOK 76 million in Northern Areas as well as in other parts of Pakistan. A brief overview of this 25-year old partnership is as follows:

Baltit Fort, Karimabad, Hunza: 1991-1996, Total cost: NOK 12.80 million (Norway's contribution: NOK 0.129 million) The 765-year old Baltit Fort was restored and is being re- used as a museum. It received close to 34,000 visitors during 2016 and earned approximately $1.0 million, which makes it a sustainable case. This initiative has had several spill-over effects, for example, development and implementation of an area-development programme, leading to conservation of other traditional settlements in the area. Impact of this project on women is significant as many local women have set-up enterprises like small cafes as well as preparing food items, which The Baltit Fort in Karimabad. Photo: VisitPak.com are sold in the market providing valuable returns. The Baltit Fort project won top awards from UNESCO Asia-Pacific, Pacific-Asia Travel Association (PATA), Responsible Tourism and has also featured on the cover of Time magazine in July 2005.

55 Hunza Villages Rehabilitation (Karimabad, Ganesh, Altit) - 1993-2006, Total cost: NOK 17 million (Norway's contribution: NOK 5.3 million) This project was aimed at improving living conditions in the above mentioned villages, while protecting and retaining the natural and physical setting that is the attraction of central Hunza, rehabilitating its traditional settlements through insertion of modern services (such as sanitation, water supply, paved pathways), demonstrating applicability of traditional housing, fostering responsible community- based local institutions, and reviving traditional skills in crafts, while developing capacities in traditional and non-traditional areas for women.

These three rehabilitated historic villages enjoy sanitation, underground electricity (Ganesh and Altit), piped clean water, paved streets and social-gathering places. Compared to other villages where such rehabilitation has not happened, these are much cleaner, animal sheds have been removed especially in Altit, hygiene is much better, and health is much improved. Small-scale activities such as local craft shops, gem and curio shops, food places, parking areas for vehicles, vehicles for hire, and small guesthouses make a positive impact. As an example, Altit received around 12,000 visitors last year, of whom the majority visited the village. A small fee was collected for each of the visitors, with approximately over NOK 86,000 (approx. PKR 1.1 million) in 2015 as share for Altit. For 2016, estimated receipts were around NOK 118,00 (approx. PKR 1.5 million).

These projects have had greater impact on women. Not only did women participate fully in these projects, volunteering with work, but they are also very much part of the social picture and visibly manifest, providing ‘models’ for visitors through their presence, self-confidence and work. Increased awareness about the past and the wisdom embodied in their traditions of construction, festivals, music, cuisine, dress are being taken forward through increased use of local materials such as poplar trees for construction and holding festivals and activities in the various community spaces.

Shigar Fort, Shigar, Baltistan: 1999-2005, Total cost: NOK 15.30 million (Norway's contribution: NOK 9.0 million) Restoration and re-use of the 400-year old Shigar Fort as high-end residence for discerning visitors was completed in 2005.

In 2016, Shigar Fort generated revenues around $420,000 and net income of $120,000; while profit hit $132,000 in 2017. It may be noted that 30% of the net income is meant for local communities for supporting social and cultural projects and activities. 60% are kept as reserves (30% for major repairs and maintenance and 30% for bad years). 10% are reserved for provision of technical services to AKCSP.

The Shigar Fort has received three major international The Shigar Fort. Photo: Norbakshi World awards, that are: UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Excellence, the Tourism Award and the PATA Award.

Representatives of Shigar Town Management Society (TMS), in a meeting at Shigar Fort on 05.10.17, hailed the project's social and economic contribution to the Shigar village. The project has generated 30 to 35 jobs for local people, besides creating small business opportunities for the local people, including women; thus, helping local economy grow. This project has also promoted use of local

56 construction material, techniques, and style. Construction of a Shiite mosque in Shigar by the local community, with AKCSP's technical support, is manifestation of revival of indigenous construction trends and practices, besides creating communal harmony.

According to AKCSP, 73,756 day visitors including 1803 foreigners, have visited the Shigar Fort since its opening in 2004. As a result of this project, number of tourists to Shigar increased, as a result of which two private hotels were opened by local people. These hotels are providing employment to 14 locals and generating an annual indirect impact of US $100,000 for the local economy. Shigar Fort project has generated regular employment for 30 people and seasonal employment for 8 people, which is producing direct monetary impact of US $105,000 and US $88,500 per annum, respectively.

Restoration of Altit Fort, Hunza: 2006-2009, Total cost: NOK 6.7 million (Norway's contribution: NOK 1.5 million) Norway contributed to the restoration and reuse of 900-year old Altit Fort, Hunza, a landmark structure in Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kha Basi (garden), as well as Mir’s summer house into Kha Basi café. This project generated 70 direct and 130 indirect jobs, over half of which are women. 44,000 people, including former President Mamnun Hussain and incumbent President Dr Arif Alvi, have visited this place.

2.7.5 Restoration of Khaplu Palace, Khaplu, Baltistan: Total Cost: Total cost: NOK 18 million (Norway’s Cotribution: NOK 6.20 million) The AKCSP with co-financing from Norway restored the 179-year old historic landmark Khaplu Palace situated in Khaplu, Baltistan during 2006-2011, and adapted it to function as a museum and a heritage guest house. Restoration of Khaplu Palace has given rise to tourism in Khaplu and surrounding areas, while prior to 2011 there was no tourism. According to AKCSP, 27835 visitors including 723 foreigners, have visited Khaplu Palace since 2011. In order to cater to growing influx of visitors, one private hotel and one government motel are also operating in the area. Khaplu Palace has generated regular employment for 24 persons and seasonal employment for four persons, thus, producing direct monetary impact of $65,000 and $10,000 per annum respectively. Khaplu Palace residence registered a profit of $93,000 in 2017.

Khaplu Town Management & Development Society (KTMDS), established in 2009, receives 20% of Khaplu Palace revenues which are meant to be used for social and cultural activities in the town. KTMDS has so far received $16,000 in profit share which has been reinvested in the community. Restoration of Khaplu Palace has also provided funds, labour and vigour for restoration of other historical sites in Khaplu town, e.g. Khanqah-e-Mo'allah while using local construction material.

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The Khaplu Palace is a historic site and functions as a museum and a heritage guest house. The restoration of the palace has resulted in a significant rise in tourism, with socioeconomic impacts for the local population. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

2.7.6 Restoration of Shahi Hammam (Royal Saloon), Delhi Gate, Lahore Walled City: Total cost: NOK 5.4 million (Norway's contribution: NOK 5.3 million) Shahi Hammam, a Persian-style bath, was built in 1635 during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign. It was in shambles when AKCSP, in partnership with Lahore City Walled Authority (LCWA), took the task to restore it. The experts have taken utmost care to keep the original texture of Shahi Hammam intact during restoration. It has already become a popular tourist spot, which takes the visitors back to the annals of history. AKCSP is also doing documentation of this area, which will guide further restoration work in the area. AKCSP has also paved the street from Delhi Gate to Lahore Fort, where the LCWA is running a colourful auto-rickshaw service for the tourists. A number of old houses along the street have also been restored to their original form, which add to the historical value of the area. The residents of the area were a bit sceptical in the beginning but having seen the dividends of this development, people are now forthcoming and the demand for more restoration work in this area is on the rise. The Shahi Hammam receives approximately 20,000 visitors per annum.

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After being restored, the Shahi Hammam has become a popular tourist spot inside the Lahore Walled City. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

2.7.7 Restoration / Conservation of Wazir Khan Mosque, Delhi Gate, Lahore Walled City: Total cost: NOK 12.0 million (Norway's contribution: NOK 2.0 million) As part of the Walled City Restoration Project, AKCSP restored the 376-year old Wazir Khan Mosque that is now open for visitors and has fast become a popular tourist spot. The Mosque was completely unusable as its courtyard was full of debris and was surrounded by shops as a result of encroachment. AKCSP mobilized the business community in and around the Mosque courtyard, convinced them of the importance of this historical monument and shifted them to an alternative place to bring the Mosque back to its original shape. Approximately 20,000 visitors, who come to visit Shahi Hamam, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Mosque, which for most of them is important not only as a historical place, but also from a religious point of view. This Mosque is wide enough to accommodate approximately 10,000 to 14,000 worshippers.

2.7.8 Lahore Fort: Total cost: NOK 15.0 million (Norway's contribution: NOK 12.70 million) As part of Lahore Fort Restoration Project, AKCSP is restoring the pictured wall of Lahore Fort, besides conducting digital mapping of parts of Lahore Fort using the most modern digital equipment funded by Norway. This work is being carried out in close collaboration with the Department of Archaeology & Museum, Government of Punjab.

As part of this project, AKCSP is set to complete conservation of the world’s largest picture wall at Lahore Fort in 2019. This wall was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar 400 years ago. The German Government is co-funding this project. AKCSP is carrying out this work in collaboration with Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and the Punjab Government The picture wall is a visual representation of the artistic impressions and characteristics of three Mughal emperors. The western side of the wall, which is 350 feet long and 50 feet high, consists of 635 decorated recessed

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panels composed on three levels. The majestic wall is festooned with tile mosaics, brick imitation work, frescos, cut and dressed brick work.

The Picture Wall is one of the most majestic monuments of the Lahore Fort and one of the largest mural walls in the world. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

2.7.9 Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop

Norway provided approximately NOK 15 million According to Peer brothers (11.10.17), Rafi Peer to Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop (RPTW), a national Theatre Workshop (RPTW)'s Museum of Puppetry is NGO, during 2004 to 2015. RPTW used this the second largest puppetry museum in the world. support to promote Pakistani culture in Pakistan Approximately 350 people visit this museum every and Norway, besides promoting Pakistan's soft Sunday. In addition, the museum provides trainings and organises workshops for the promotion of image across the globe by organizing international puppetry throughout the year. It also offers an festivals and music events in Pakistan, with 'artists' residence' programme. RTP's puppet participation of foreign artistes. RPTW is museum is said to be the second largest in Asia. continuing their mission even after withdrawal of Major events organised by RPTW for several years Norwegian support. RPTW also provided technical with Norway's financial support include: Folk Puppet support to the organizers of Oslo Mela for several Festival, World Performing Arts Festival that also years. RPTW has also established a Museum of brought Norwegian artistes to Pakistan, Sufi Festival, Puppetry with Norwegian support, which besides and Sanj Festival in Amritsar, India (for 17 years) and Sufi Festival in New Delhi. It also organises Sufi promoting the art of puppetry in Pakistan, is Festival in London annually. RTP has organised playing a significant role in ensuring sustainability approximately 110 national/international of this organisation. It is said to be second largest performing arts events during 2004 to 2015. museum of puppetry in Asia. RTP also designed RPTW has provided pioneering support to Oslo Mela, and successfully implemented its Bus Project with organised by Horisont annually, for several years. Norwegian funding, which served children from approximately 400 schools, transported them to RTP premises, provided them guided tours of Museum of Puppetry, and also provided basic training on puppet making to them.

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RPTW has been productively diversifying its resources by raising commercial sponsorships that contribute to its institutional sustainability. The recognition of RPTW’s services is evident even at state level as the Government also invites them to organize cultural events and festivals, for example, International Mystic Sufi Festival in Sindh, Anti-Dengue Virus drive, Nautaunki Theatre in Swat.

2.7.10 Ajoka Theatre Norway provided NOK 6.85 million to Ajoka Theatre, Lahore from 2002 to 2008 to promote the theatre art form in Pakistan, especially Sufi thought of peace, harmony and tranquillity. The Ajoka team wrote, directed and staged plays across Pakistan as well as in Norway on the aforementioned themes.

2.7.11 Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF) Norway provided NOK 340,000 to HWF, which it used to restore the Sohail Gate and establish Sher Shah Suri Museum in Rohtas Fort, during November 2004 to December 2005. This project also paved way for a policy change in the Punjab province, according to which the gate money collected at each historic place in Punjab, will not be sent to the federal government, but will be deposited with the local authorities and, thus, spent on the maintenance of each historical place.

2.7.12 Iqbal Academy - In the Footsteps of Iqbal Norway provided NOK 1.6 million to Iqbal Academy, Lahore (contract dated 02.08.2006,) to implement its project, "In the Footsteps of Iqbal" during September 2006 to August 2008. This project focused on promoting thought of the famous philosopher and national poet of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, for which purpose, the project developed a number of print publications and documentaries. The Government of Pakistan also co-funded this project and facilitated its implementation.

2.7.13 IMPACT14 Norway's support to the culture sector (performing arts) has promoted critical thinking, freedom of choice, interfaith harmony, national cohesion, international fusion and exchange of artistes. Norway's partner organisations such as Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Ajoka Theatre, Pakistan National Council of the Arts and Lok Virsa have organized national/international theatre performances, festivals, and cultural exchange to contribute to these objectives. Cross-border performances by Ajoka and Rafi Peer group have contributed to promoting regional goodwill, shared cultural experiences with neighbouring countries, people to people contact, and cross-cultural understanding between Norway and Pakistan.

Similarly, Norway's support to built heritage in Pakistan has contributed to promoting tourism, small businesses, and national pride in rich cultural heritage of the land. Restoration/conservation of historical monuments and sites such as Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Shigar Fort Place, and Khaplu Palace in Gilgit-Baltistan; and Shahi Hammam, Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore Fort, and Rohtas Fort in Punjab, has promoted tourism, thus, increased economic opportunities for local communities, besides connecting people with their past and reviving their pride in rich cultural heritage of their respective areas. The Shahi Hammam receives approximately 20,000 visitors per annum, who also visit Wazir Khan Mosque and surrounding places. The restoration of Shahi Hammam and Wazir Khan Mosque has also given impetus to the restoration of their surrounding homes/shops while maintaining their

14 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

61 cultural identity, a trend that is continuously spreading in the surrounding areas. The AKCSP has also promoted a strong sense of community ownership of heritage sites by involving them in site management through community organisations, especially in northern areas; AKCSP has also promoted environment-friendly construction practices using local construction materials in its project areas. UNESCO's work at Lahore Fort has contributed to long term capacity building of the Department of Archaeology's staff through international consultants, while the testing lab established with Norwegian funding will go a long way in facilitating conservation activities at the Fort. The master plan for conservation of Lahore, developed by UNESCO, continues to guide the restoration/conservation work at the Fort. Norway's support to HWF for partial restoration of Rohtas Fort led to a policy change in Punjab whereby all gate money is no more deposited in the federal treasury, but in a designated bank account operated by the custodian department of the heritage sites and is, thus, spent directly on the repair/maintenance of the respective heritage sites. The 18th constitutional amendment has facilitated it further by handing over ownership of heritage sites to the respective provincial departments. Norway's support to culture has also contributed to promoting Pakistani culture in Norway and vice versa, thus, enhancing cross-cultural understanding, and facilitating people to people contact. 2.8 ENVIRONMENT SECTOR

In Pakistan, environment sector has been one of the priority areas of Norwegian assistance in 90s, during which, Norway supported a number of initiatives to bolster the Government of Pakistan's efforts to achieve international and national environmental targets. Norway's support focused on indigenous institutional and human capacity-building and creating an enabling policy environment in the country by supporting national and international organisations working in Pakistan.

The below mentioned projects/programmes manifest Norway's commitment to creating a better physical and business environment in Pakistan:

2.8.1 Support to "Cleaner Production in Sialkot is ranked 3rd among the export cities of Pakistan. Tanneries" Project, Sialkot Its total annual export revenue is estimated to be around $2 billion, out of which is $450 million comes from the The "Cleaner Production in Tanneries" Project leather sector, which was the focus of this project. was envisaged by the Government of Pakistan and implemented with the support of the In order to build on the successes of this project, Punjab Norwegian Government for introducing Government approved relocation of all tanneries out of Sialkot city at a dedicated site. For this purpose, Punjab cleaner technologies and in-house techniques Government has provided PKR 30 billion for involving continuous application of an establishment of Sialkot Tannery Zone (STZ), close to integrated preventive environmental strategy Sialkot Airport. The STZ will have a combined effluent to processes and products for reducing risks to treatment plant for all tanneries plus all tanneries will be applying the latest cleaner production techniques, which human and environment in the leather sector will have an immense environmental and financial impact of Sialkot, under a contract signed between the on the industry. Relocation of tanneries out of the city two countries on 21 July 1998. The project had will also purge drinking water in Sialkot city of toxics and a total budget of PKR 100.839 million, out of contaminants, which will have significant health benefits. which PKR 77.539 (approx. NOK 12.561 million) Reportedly, 75% of water sources in Sialkot are currently contaminated. were provided by the Norwegian Government, while the remaining PKR 23.300 million were The project's main outputs, i.e., Chrome Recovery Plant, contributed by the Government of Pakistan. Leather Production Development Institute (LPDI) and Cleaner Production Centre's laboratory are functioning to For a variety of hiccups, the project practically date; however, the lab and LPDI need funds for started in November 1999 and was completed upgradation. Reportedly, 40% reduction in the use of in August 2005. water has been noted in the 238 tanneries where CP techniques have been applied.

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The Project goal was: "Internationally acceptable environmental standards and improved environment achieved by the tanning industry".

The most important and sustainable achievement of this project was establishment of a Cleaner Production Centre, which is serving the leather industry until to date; thus, saving millions of rupees and time by providing testing services to the tanning industry.

This Project also demonstrated a successful example of public-private partnership, as its advisory committee drew membership from Export Promotion Bureau, LIDO (Leather Industry Development Organisation), Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Commerce, Punjab Environment Department, and two private sector partners, Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers & Exporters Association and M/s Leatherfield, Sialkot. The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) and DNV Veritas provided technical cooperation for this Project, which the project authorities appreciated very much.

This project consisted of the following components:

2.8.2 Chrome Recovery Plant (CRP) The Chrome Recovery Plant is operational, as witnessed during a visit to the site on 09.10.17. It recovers approximately 1,600 kg chrome in a year, from the waste water collected from different tanneries in Sialkot. The recovered chrome is sold to the tanneries for re-use, which generates approximately PKR 1.8 million per annum. The CPC is being run on no-profit/no-loss basis, thus, keeping it sustainable. Additional benefits of CPC include mitigation of public health hazards and soil erosion caused due to unchecked flow of wastewater to open areas in and around Sialkot city.

Cleaner Production Centre (CPC) / Testing Lab According to the final evaluation report of the project, "the level of reduction achieved in waste production is up to 20%. CPC introduced cleaner production techniques like use of de-salting table, process improvement through high exhaustion techniques, chrome management and controlled spraying". The report further states, "with the introduction of CP techniques, pollution load generated by tanneries has been reduced by 30 to 40% and some tanneries have already started to equip themselves for compliance with National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS)". The testing lab is functioning until to date; however, it needs financial and technical support for upgradation. It is currently able to perform only a few basic tests, but for more sophisticated, the exporters still have to send their samples abroad, which costs them a lot of money and time. In order to make optimal use of lab, the stakeholders need to consider upgradation of the lab.

Leather Products Development Institute (LPDI) The LPDI was established as part of the CP Centre and is functioning until to date. It provides job- oriented skills to women (approx. 70%) and men (approx. 30%) students. In total, 8,000 students have graduated from LPDI since its inception. Microfinance institutions, such as Akhuwat, provide loans to those graduates who want to start their own business. The LPDI conducts trainings funded by other agencies, such as GIZ, NAVTTC, PSDF, etc. GIZ, under Pakistan TVET Reform Program, has financed training of 2,000 students.

As the authorities realized immense benefits derived from the use of cleaner production techniques in the tanneries, the Punjab Government has provided a soft loan of PKR 30 billion for the establishment of Sialkot Tannery Zone without a view to relocate all tanneries at one place, outside the Sialkit city. This is a ground-breaking achievement as it will not only purge the Sialkot city of environmental hazards, but will also enable all tanneries to use cleaner production techniqus in the most efficient and cost effective manner, thus, having a positive impact on leather export from Sialkot. 63

2.8.3 Pre-Appraisal Study for the Satpara Multipurpose Dam Project, Skardu Norway financed this assignment through EDC Consulting with an amount of NOK 85,000 in 1996.

2.8.4 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) IUCN Pakistan’s partnership with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) can be traced back to the mid-1990s. After IUCN’s entry to Pakistan in 1987, Norad started supporting IUCN Pakistan Programme under Norad Framework Agreement (NFA) mechanism. From 1995 to 2004, IUCN in total received NOK 14.33 million under four frame agreements. This early support was crucial in establishing IUCN firmly in a country which, up till this time, had not cultivated a great interest in environmental issues. The following is a brief overview of the initiatives carried out under these NFAs:

NFA-I supported IUCN in implementing a massive programme for training journalists in environmental reporting, while NFA-II took this a step further by targeting the actual decision makers, such as editors, for training. These efforts were successful in getting environment recognized as a major news topic in the national press. NFA-I also supported the promotion of environmental education, under which a manual for Teacher Educators was developed. Several comprehensive baseline surveys were carried out on issues such as marine pollution, industrial pollution, and socioeconomic and public health, such as the Effects of Bhoola and Katra Fishing Nets in the Indus Delta and Hydrochloric Acid Discharge: Effect on the Indus Delta.

These Agreements also paved way for pioneering mangrove plantations and rehabilitation along the country’s coastal belt, by developing a technology appropriate for mangrove forest rehabilitation. 3,000 acres of forest were, thus, rehabilitated by IUCN, and the technology and experience gained was also shared in the Gulf region and the Mediterranean. Mangroves act as a natural barrier, protecting the coastline from storm surge and tidal action, and by extension, the communities that live there. They also constitute a breeding ground and nursery for fish and have thus significantly benefitted the country’s economy while contributing to the livelihoods of the fishing community. Naturally, these benefits have continued over the years. Furthermore, this early plantation work has led to many subsequent plantation projects with other donors, especially along the Sindh Coast.

IUCN and NORAD significantly contributed to formulation of environmental legislation in Pakistan, notably to the enactment of the Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997, and the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). Legal manuals were also compiled, and training provided to the judiciary to build their capacity for the enforcement of environmental law.

NORAD’s support for the Pakistan National Committee of the Members of IUCN (PNC) has also helped bridge the gap between government and civil society by bringing them together on this platform.

Some other results of the IUCN-NORAD partnership include a study on the crucial issue of sea intrusion into the Indus Delta under NFA-III (following which IUCN launched an advocacy campaign on the issue); the negotiation of a US$ 1.5 million proposal to the GEF regarding Juniper Forest Rehabilitation, and Pakistan’s participation in the WSSD and the subsequent revisiting of the National Conservation Strategy.

Joint support from NORAD and CIDA helped establish IUCN’s Sindh Programme Office, under which an environment and development profile of the province was produced. Support was also given to the Balochistan Programme after the Netherlands decided to discontinue funding to the country. NFA-III support allowed IUCN to maintain a modest presence in Balochistan while also enabling IUCN to sustain dialogue with the Netherlands, which eventually returned.

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From 1997-1998, NORAD financed the Northern Areas Conservation Strategy (NACS) Support Project worth NOK 1.5 million, with the goal of preparing a policy framework within which to promote sustainable development in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. This was followed by the Northern Areas Conservation Strategy Project from 1999 to 2002, which NORAD partially funded, and which aimed to improve the long-term economic, social and ecological well-being of the people of the Northern Areas through the implementation of a comprehensive sustainable development strategy. NORAD and SDC jointly financed the project (50% each), which had a total value of NOK 14.9 million.

In 2007 (June – September), the Royal Norwegian Embassy funded a project on Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability, worth USD 16,120. Following this, DFID and NORAD supported a two- year project (2007-2009) called Institution of Technical Advisory Panel on Climate Change, worth USD 333,268. NORAD has, in recent years, also supported the Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Programme. NORAD Framework support to IUCN has demonstrated the value of a programmatic, flexible, reliable and consistent approach which has shown that a relatively small contribution can be influential and can leverage large outcomes. This has influenced the thinking of other donors as well (for instance, the SDC and the Netherlands began providing programme support to IUCN Pakistan after the first NFA was signed).

2.8.5 Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF) Under a contract signed with HWF on 29.11.2000, Norway provided NOK 1.1 million to HWF for implementation of a project for conservation of Deosai National Park (DNP), Skardu and to protect the endangered species of brown bear there. The project, implemented in cooperation with Northern Areas Wildlife Department and Forest Department, helped raise awareness about the importance of protecting the endangered brown bear in DNP and develop by-laws for maintaining Deosai as a national park. This project also contributed to regulating community rights and activities in the DNP. The project was eventually taken over by the Northern Areas administration, setting up a good example of public-private partnership.

2.8.6 Institutional Cooperation between Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar (UoPeshawar) and NORAGRIC (renamed as Norwegian University of Life Sciences; UMB) Norway provided NOK 2 million to facilitate institutional cooperation between Department of Environmental Sciences (DoES), University of Peshawar and (then) NORAGRIC during 1996 - 1998. This project focused on building competence through exchange visits, trainings and taking Pakistani environmentalists to Norway for completing degree programmes. The Department's lab also received equipment such as analytical balance, and hot/cold incubator.

2.8.7 Aga Khan Rural Support Programme Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has been a longstanding development partner of Norway in Northern Areas of Pakistan, from 1997 to 2007 (2006 being the gap year). This long-term cooperation materialized as a result of AKRSP's visit to NORAGRIC (renamed as Norwegian University of Life Sciences, UMB) in 1996.

Norway provided NOK 8.4 million to AKRSP between 1997 - 1998 to help increase forest coverage in Gilgit-Baltistan region through community organisations. In this project, AKRSP provided technical and financial support to communities for increased forestation, which not only contributed to increased income, but also to combating soil erosion and land sliding, especially during rainy season.

Norway provided NOK 12.8 million to AKRSP to implement its programme in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region from 1999 - 2002, focusing on creating income generation opportunities for the people of GB, with special focus on women. The AKRSP's programme focused on harnessing local human and

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natural resource potential for this purpose and, thus, provided trainings and technical and commodity support to community organisations, including women organisations, to march toward a better life.

Norway provided NOK 22,398,000 to AKRSP for implementation of "AKRSP Farm-based Assets Creation Programme", January 2002 to December 2005.

From 2004 to 2007, AKRSP implemented the Land Terracing Project in Baltistan region with active involvement of the Village and Women organisations. The project aimed at benefitting the poorest segments of the programme area by help them terrace their barren land. In this project, AKRSP Baltistan helped 592 poor households to develop their uncultivable land and achieve an average 38% increase in crop, thus, improving the food security; in addition, the value of their land increased by 319%.

AKRSP has done extensive plantation in Baltistan with Norway's financial assistance, which has had tremendous impact on the environment as well as socio-economic conditions of the area. There are five nurseries only in Skardu that have been certified by the Federal Seed Certification & Regulatory Department. In Skardu, a women-specific market -- namely, 'Hawwa Market' -- has been established. AKRSP is also facilitating the formulation of Agriculture & Livestock Policy for Baltistan. With Norway's financial support, AKRSP has completed 75 irrigation channels, 26 protective works, and 29 land terracing projects.

2.8.8 IMPACT15 Introduction of Cleaner Technologies & Social Safeguards in Leather Industry: The Norwegian assistance for the sector has had major impact on introduction and sustainable use of cleaner production techiques and practices. For example, 20% reduction in waster production and 30 to 40% reduction in pollution load reported by tanneries. The partnership resulted in setting up institutions that continue to serve the industry and local communities until to date. The project introduced practice of waste water treatment and chrome recovery through Chrome Recovery Plant (CRP), which continues to operate until to date, yielding economic and health benefits. The training component led to empowering both men and women, resulting in gainful employment and opening entrepreneurial opportunities to support the local industry. The assistance contributed to making the sector more compliant with international environmental standards and social safeguards (ref. EU requirements for advance CP techniques in 2013), and as a result increased its share in national exports. This project also paved way for a Punjab Government funded PKR 30 billion project for establishment of Sialkot Tannery Zone outside the city, which will not only provide more conducive business environment to the industry but will also purge Sialkot city water of contamination caused by chemicals used by leather industry. The project is also contributing to increasing the number of women workers in the tanning industry by providing training facilities (so far 8,000 students graduated, of which 70% are women).

Formulation of Enabling Legislation & Standards: The partnership with IUCN contributed to review and formulation of national policies and regulations. The major achievements are the enactment of ‘Pakistan Environment Protection Act’ (1997) and ‘National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS)’. Where the capacities of the regulators enhanced to facilitate compliance, judicial officers were trained also to adjudicate as per the spirit of environmental regulations. The assistance resulted in formulation of ‘National Environmental Conservation Strategy’, ‘Northern Areas

15 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

66 Conversation Strategy’, and ‘Agriculture and Livestock Policy for Baltistan. The documents provided a road map for conservation of environment and informed the investments by the Government and other development partners.

Conservation of Endangered Species: The assistance to HWF demonstrated enacting successful communal and institutional support mechanisms for conservation of endangered brown beer in Deosai National Park (DNP). The assistance led to a declaration and establishing of a mechanism for management of DNP. Where it led to conserving natural environment, it also contributed to promoting tourism, thus creating economic opportunities for the locals. The DNP is sustainably being managed by GB forest department, to which it was handed over upon project completion.

Research, Evidence Creation & Policy Advice: The assistance contributed to high quality research and evidence creation, that informs about environmental policies and actions. The partnership strengthened capacities of KP E&SE Department, University of Peshawar, gaining recognition as centre of excellence on environmental research.

Socio-economic Uplift through Community Based Natural Resource Management: The Norwegian assistance introduced workable models of ‘Community-based natural resource management (including plantation and land terracing)’, leading to increased productivity and food security in the project areas. The prioritization of women through all women groups/organisation increased the household incomes and more dispensable income for women to spend on their own and family needs. The concept of all women market ‘Hawa (woman) Market’ facilitated access to the market and thus increased income for women. The tree plantation initiatives with nurseries helped to restore environment to safeguard against environmental hazards and disaster risks, besides formulation of maiden Agriculture & Livestock Policy for Baltistan.

The three entities, i.e. Cleaner Production Centre (CPC); Chrome Recovery Plant (CPC); and Leather Products Development Institute (LPDI), have supported the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices in export centric leather industry concentrated in Sialkot. This project has proved to be a trailblazer for the Sialkot tanning industry. The CPC testing lab is providing testing solutions, CPC is extracting chrome from waste water and processing it for re-use by the industry, while LPDI is training necessary human resource (8000 graduates), 70% women, for the leather industry. This triggered in approval of a Sialkot Tannery Zone with PKR 30 billion financing from Punjab Government. This Project also demonstrated a successful example of public-private partnership. 2.9 PEACE AND RECONCILIATION SECTOR

Norway has since long time supported creation of a peaceful and harmonious society in Pakistan by aligning its efforts with the Government of Pakistan as well as with religious and social actors working in this field. Norway has accorded priority to peace-building efforts by including support to selected Madrassas (seminaries) in its education programme implemented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In addition, Norway has provided support to NGOs working for de-radicalization of extremist elements in selected parts of Pakistan.

A brief overview of salient projects is as follows:

2.9.1 Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) Programme for Promotion of Intra-/Inter-faith Dialogue and Social Action for Peace and Tolerance Norway, through Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), has been cooperating with Pakistan's leading Islamic scholars as well as scholars belonging to other religions to create better understanding and harmony not only among Islam and other religions but also among different schools of thought in Islam. Norway's cooperation with NCA started in 2005. Norway provided NOK 2.5 million during 2005-2007 and NOK 8.8 million during 2008-2014 to implement this programme in cooperation with its 67 Pakistani partner organisations, including World Council of Religions (WCR; a joint platform having representation from the Wafaqs (federations of seminaries) of all five Islamic schools of thought, i.e., Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e-Hadith, Shiite, Jamaat-e-Islami) as well as representatives of minorities in Pakistan, that is, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs; and Organisation for Research and Education (ORE).

As a result of continuous lobbying through Provincial Lobbying Delegation, the Directorate of Curriculum and Teacher Education (DCTE) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa agreed to include relevant scholars/representatives from minority faiths in the textbooks review process. Through advocacy efforts with Textbook Board and other relevant government departments in KP, positive changes were made in the textbooks published for the academic year 2017. Some of the hate material has been removed from the new textbooks and positive information about other faiths and religions has been incorporated. For instance, General Knowledge textbook for Grade-1 has now images of different religious places (Masjid, Temple, Church, Gurdwara) along with description, whereas earlier the content was focused on Islam only. Nearly 700,000 copies of this book are currently available in the market.

As member of National Lobbying Delegation of CSOs, Peace and Education Foundation (PEF), played an active role in advocacy initiatives for women and minority friendly legislation. As a result of joint efforts by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), ‘Hindu Marriage Bill 2016’ was passed from the National Assembly in September 2016 and then passed by the Senate.

After Youhanabad incident, NCA’s peace-building partners working in Lahore immediately intervened and took several measures to reduce tensions and promote harmony among Muslim and Christian communities in the area. WCR coordinator along with a delegation of Ulema (Islamic religious scholars) visited five Mosques in the surrounding areas of Youhanabad on 18 March 2015. The delegation met with the Imams (sermonizers) and was successful in convincing them to play their role to avoid backlash from the Muslim community.

NCA peacebuilding partners have formed 28 Community Peace Groups (CPGs) in different project locations. These CPGs were able to successfully pre-empt, prevent and mediate more than 80 local disputes to avoid violent conflicts.

A book of Friday sermons was published under Norway-supported NCA project and dozens of sermonizers from Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan districts representing Deobandi and Barelvi school of thought were trained and mobilized to use model sermons to promote peace, interfaith harmony and minority rights in their Friday Sermons.

The NCA, through its partner PEF, was able to develop consensus among five Madrassa Boards on finalization of a textbook on the teachings of peace and reconciliation in Islam. This textbook is now being taught in 26 madrassas for men and women of all five Islamic schools of thought.

In 2015, Ilm-o-Aman Foundation (IAF), developed a civil society-based Reconciliation Council (RC) of 10 core interfaith male volunteer members, with links to police and relevant government bodies, at national level. The RCs have engaged in and mediated more 200 conflict cases, mainly related to sectarian violence and violence against minorities. Among these cases are 13 blasphemy cases that have been repealed as it was found that there was no ground for the charges.

One of the reconciliation efforts well documented in the media was the Kot Radha Kishan incident (2014) in Punjab where a Christian couple was tortured and burnt. According to IAF, more than 5000 Christian people who had fled the area due to fear of being attacked, returned to their homes, and the culprits involved in this attack were arrested on intervention of IAF.

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2.9.2 Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) - Just and Sustainable Peace in Pakistan In order to support religious organisations and efforts by the Government of Pakistan towards peace building and religious tolerance in society, Norway has provided NOK 7.7 million to NCA to implement "Just and Sustainable Peace in Pakistan" Project during 2014 - 2016. The partner organisations in this project launched national and provincial level advocacy initiatives on extremism, sectarian violence and minority rights; faith-based partner organisations undertook peace interventions to prevent, mediate and transform violence conflicts. They also undertook initiatives to introduce and teach curriculum on human rights and peaceful co-existence and facilitated intra-inter-faith dialogue. Training programmes for Imams (prayer leaders), Priests, and teachers in seminaries were also organized.

Norway has committed NOK 9 million to NCA for Phase-2 of this project, 2017-2020.

2.9.3 UN WOMEN - Women, Peace and Security in Pakistan Under an agreement signed with UN WOMEN on 11.12.2009, Norway has provided NOK 17 million to UN WOMEN to implement the "Support to Security Council Resolution 1325" Project, later renamed as "Women, Peace and Security in Pakistan" Project during 2009 - 2012, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands that contributed approximately NOK 13 million.

The project faced delays for a variety of reasons and unfortunately its scope had to be changed in 2010/2011 primarily due to political sensitivity attached to the project. Norway and The Netherlands took up this point in detail in a joint letter in August 2011. Issues regarding baseline survey, staffing, lack of implementation strategy on 1325 and transformation of UNIFEM to UN Women added to the slow pace of the project.

The project contributed to formulation of new laws, namely, The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act (2011), The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act (2011) and The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012, passed for Islamabad Capital Territory.

The project helped strengthen mechanisms protecting women and girls from gender-based violence, through effective partnerships with women’s machineries in KP and FATA. Some 2,993 vulnerable women and girls affected by violence or complex emergencies got immediate access to medical and legal services and a protective environment and have been empowered to rebuild their lives.

2.9.4 UNDP - Youth and Social Cohesion Norway has provided NOK 22.5 million to UNDP for implementing "Youth and Social Cohesion" Project during 2015-2017. This project is working directly with local communities in establishing community Centres by organizing social mobilization events. At the institutional level, the project is supporting the Department of Home and Tribal Affairs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the FATA Secretariat in responding to pressing security challenges, including temporarily displaced people, armed violence, unemployed youth and new delegations of authority following the 18th constitutional amendment. The project has completed research studies in cooperation with Peace Research Institute, Oslo, besides continuing to provide skills development training, mentoring, organizing sports and recreational activities and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the project areas.

2.9.5 Support to PAIMAN Alumni Trust In October 2013, the Royal Norwegian Embassy entered into an agreement with PAIMAN Alumni Trust (PAIMAN), a national NGO, to work for peace building and conflict transformation through groups of vulnerable youth and mothers who are key stakeholders in conflict prevention at the grassroots level. The RNE provided NOK 6.7 million over a period of three years; while the project was implemented in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 69

as well as in Khyber Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). This project “Communities Waging Peace through Youth and Mother's Peace Groups” – worked through a three- pronged strategy:

 1) social mobilization of mothers and youth for conflict transformation (CT) and peace building (PB);  2) capacity building (in conflict resolution and other life skills) at individual and group/institutional level of all the community stakeholders including government actors at district/Agency level, e.g. local government, district level police and social welfare and  3) advocacy and networking towards a conducive policy environment for peace building/conflict transformation.

It is commendable that in the challenging project context, these youths and mothers -- both old and young -- have been mobilized to advocate for peace as well as to participate in community policing among other social networking activities.

Anecdotal evidence among the project beneficiaries unequivocally points towards change in their individual and collective attitude and behaviour to PAIMAN’s TOLANA approach for peace. Especially noteworthy were the apparent changes in the attitudes of the ‘vulnerable’ male youth interviewed during the Review. The other significant achievement is the building of trust and clear communication lines between communities and government bodies such as the tehsil municipal authority (TMA), the respective social welfare departments (SWD) and the district police offices (DPO). This semi-formal communication channel also serves as the (gender responsive) early warning system against violent extremism and other forms of human rights violations.

This mechanism facilitated by PAIMAN TOLANA project also facilitates early response by the relevant government authorities. Yet another hallmark achievement in the PAIMAN training program was its impact on the participants and through them on the communities is palpable even within this short time frame.

2.9.6 IMPACT16 The Norwegian assistance contributed to policy and regulatory changes as evident in passage of multiple legislations to address violence and discrimination against women. The laws approved include: i) The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act (2011); ii) The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act (2011); and iii) The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012’. The continuous advocacy and support to Wafaq ul-Madaris contributed to initiation of curricula revision, removal of hate material from textbooks, and training of teachers at madrassas. The Norwegian assistance facilitated inter-faith and intra-faith dialogue to promote mutual respect, acceptance for divergent beliefs and views, and peaceful co-existence. Hate material in textbooks Islamic Studies and Pakistan Studies (grade 1 to 12) was identified and removed in cooperation with the KP education department. The assistance to PAIMAN Trust has organized hundreds of youth and mothers (women) groups across several districts of KP. The Norwegian support has contributed to relative peace across Pakistan today.

16 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

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2.10 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR)/DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT (DRM) SECTOR

The focus of Norway's support to DRR/DRM sector in Pakistan is on developing institutional and human resource in government as well as non-governmental sector. Norway's partners are using its funds for imparting essential trainings, infrastructure support, and equipment to their Pakistani counterparts, with a view to ensuring that the knowledge, thus, imparted stays with them and makes their contribution sustainable. Norway's funds have been channelled through local/international NGOs and the UN System. A brief overview of Norway-funded projects is as follows:

2.10.1 Sungi - Rehabilitation Activities in Dadar Village Norway supported Sungi Development Foundation to undertake rehabilitation activities in Dadar village of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in the summer of year 2001. The whole village of Dadar, built on a dried-up river bed, was washed away as it was hit by a torrent of water 30 foot (9 meters) high. Huge rocks and trees carried along by the raging water, knocked down all its path, destroyed the village, killed 170 people and injured many more.

2.10.2 Sungi - Humanitarian Assistance to Earthquake Affectees in NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Under the contract dated 7 December 2005, Norway provided NOK 5.0 million to Sungi for implementation of its project, titled: "Humanitarian Assistance to Earthquake Affectees in NWFP and Azad Jammu & Kashmir" during January 2006 to December 2007. Sungi used these funds to provide shelter, food and medical aid to affected families; saving livelihood assets; reducing vulnerability of affectees; building social, financial, political, natural and physical assets and influencing policies/institutional frameworks related to handling emergency situations. The geographic coverage of this project spread to areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) affected by the 2005 devastating earthquake.

2.10.3 UNOCHA Disaster Management Capacity Building for Government Officials and Local Humanitarian Partners Norway provided NOK 5.561 million to UNOCHA for the above-mentioned Project through a 2-year contract dated 29.11.2012 signed with World Food Programme (WFP) as the fund administrator. This project aimed at training 2,250 officials of government and humanitarian partners at district/provincial level, with as many women participants as possible. Responding positively to UNOCHA's request, Norway also approved a capacity-building plan as part of this project for the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Government of Pakistan, under which the NIDM, besides developing an interactive website, also received essential equipment to facilitate its future activities.

After being hit by floods in 2010, 2011, and 2012, the Government of Pakistan recognized the need for effective response to disasters. Hence, then NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) requested the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan to build the capacity of government officials as well as local NGOs working in the most vulnerable and disaster-prone districts of the country. The UNOCHA responded positively to this requested, organized trainings for government officials and NGOs in Sukkur, Hyderabad, Muzaffargarh, and Multan. These trainings received overwhelming response and positive feedback from the participants. In 2013, UNOCHA again conducted trainings in vulnerable districts in response to NDMA's request. For the time, the provincial/district government officials, NGOs, and armed forces personnel together attended these trainings. These trainings were conducted by the experienced staff of different UN agencies having expertise in their respective fields conducted 48 trainings in the most vulnerable districts identified by NDMA. The deputy

71 commissioner and director general of PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authority) ensured participation of their respective staff members in the trainings.

This project significantly contributed to building institutional and human capacity of stakeholders, and strengthening coordination among the UN-Government, within UN agencies, NGOs, and armed forces. The NDMA recognized the importance of these trainings during 2014 floods when it observed the enhanced early response capacity of its staff. UNOCHA also developed and provided to NDMA an excel-based database of all trainees (2,311), whom NDMA calls upon and uses their services on need basis.

2.10.4 ACF Pakistan - Reducing Vulnerability through Disaster Risk Management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Norway provided NOK 8.235.552 to ACF -Pakistan for the Project, titled "Reducing Vulnerability through Disaster Risk Management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa", to be implemented during 2011-2012.

The stated goal of this project was: "To enable communities to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of disasters using participatory methods aimed at strengthening self-reliance capabilities of the population and reinforcing to adopting infrastructure". ACF Pakistan worked toward this goal by forging partnerships with communities, district/provincial government departments in its focus districts, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan and Lower Dir, as well as with academic institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project focused on reducing the vulnerability of the population to disasters through mitigation, prevention, preparation and capacity building. ACF also worked for establishment of the Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management at University of Peshawar with a mandate to impart disaster management education and provide research and policy advice to the government. The project also provided equipment and infrastructure support to the most deserving segments of communities and district/local government institutions.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with Action Against Hunger invested in disaster preparedness and management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. With support from the Embassy, Action Against Hunger implemented three projects from November 2011 till December 2016 with a financial investment total of NOK 25,538,052. The participatory and sustainable programme comprised community mobilization and training, disaster-resilient infrastructure development, research and development and policy strengthening. Action Against Hunger used their expertise in nutrition to also mainstream nutrition messaging and awareness into the programme. The projects contributed towards the Provincial Disaster Management Authority’s development and implementation of the Roadmap for Disaster Risk Management 2014-2019.

More details on the specific projects are as follows:

Project-I (2011 – 2013): The value of the first project was NOK 8,338,052 with objective “to enable the communities to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of disasters using participatory methods aimed at strengthening the self-reliance capacities of the population and reinforcing or adapting infrastructure”. Action Against Hunger in partnership with Centre for Disaster Preparedness Management (CDPM) University of Peshawar worked together to build a long-term community- based disaster management system.

ACF carried out this project in 60 communities across 4 districts (24 in Lower Dir, 14 in Nowshera, 13 in Charsadda and 9 in Mardan). Under this project Early Warning Systems were developed in all communities with a focus on intra/inter village communication. The project developed plans for each community and shared these with the district disaster management unit and PDMA. Based on this structure, mitigation measures were taken to strengthen the communities. In order to build the

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capacity of the targeted communities and local authorities, trainings on CBDRM and DRM were imparted respectively, with technical support of CDPM.

Project-II (2013 – 2014): Another project “Reducing Vulnerability through Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)” amounting to NOK 8,800,000 was selected in Nowshera, Charsadda, Lower Dir and Upper Dir Districts of KP Province from January 2013- September 2014. The main objective of the project was to reduce vulnerability of the population to disasters through mitigation, prevention, preparation and capacity building. The project was a multi- disciplinary initiative that involved a variety of stakeholders like local authorities, the disaster management agencies like NDMA, PDMA, DDMUs, NGOs, district line departments, the academic sector and the communities.

The communities reduced their vulnerability to hazards through several activities. 10,163 beneficiaries were trained through the CBDRM sessions and 8,004 beneficiaries were trained through SBDRM sessions. All targeted schools were equipped with first aid kits. ACF distributed 1500 Hygiene Kits to temporally dislocated persons (TDP) from North Waziristan Agency (NWA). This intervention benefitted a total of 12,453 TDPs (3,145 men, 3,159 women, 6181 children) through hygiene promotion sessions and distribution of hygiene kits. The end line study showed a significant improvement within the communities regarding disaster risk management, both in terms of increased awareness as well as disasters’ mitigation and preventive measures.

Project-III (2014 – 2016): The third project, worth NOK 8,400,000, was aimed to mitigate the risk of disasters among the most vulnerable communities through improving their awareness and preparedness.

Under this project, VDMCs were established both for men and women in all the 40 targeted villages. The training on CBDRM was conducted for each committee, which enhanced their awareness and preparedness for disasters. As a result of this support Village Disaster Management plans were formulated for each village by identifying their hazards and deciding the action plans. In addition to this, mitigation schemes were identified during the PCVA and technical assessments based on the vulnerability of the community which helped them to mitigate the risk of disasters in the future.

In line with the project's objectives and PDMA's Road Map for the coming 5 years, two provincial level exhibitions were organized; five research studies were completed with the support of Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management (CDPM). At district level, the engagement of DDMUs was ensured in the project implementation. The selection of vulnerable UCs for project was done by DDMUs. The communities were actively involved right from the start of the project which has helped develop a sense of ownership of the intervention among locals.

During the implementation of the project, women were actively and meaningfully engaged as vital participants in all aspects of ACF''s DRM activities. In assessments, women contributed with their experiences, views and concerns helping the teams to design the activities that were the most important and impactful for the communities.

2.10.5 Focus Humanitarian Assistance - Aga Khan Foundation-Pakistan (AKF-P) Responding positively to a proposal dated 12.09.2011 from FOCUS Pakistan, humanitarian assistance partner of the Aga Khan Foundation-Pakistan (AKF-P), Norway approved NOK 7.8 million for implementation of Project, titled: "Harnessing Capacities in Disaster Risk Reduction in the Hazardous Areas of Pakistan" in Gilgit-Baltistan and Thatta district of Sindh, during January 2012 to June 2014. This project aimed at building capacity in DRR/DRM at the district/provincial level, besides working with communities in the project areas. The primary target groups of the project included women,

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school children, government officials, local community and members of LSOs (Local Support Organisations).

Responding positively to a proposal dated 26.06.2014 from FOCUS Pakistan, Norway approved NOK 3 million for implementation of the Project, titled: "Strengthening Institutional and Community Resilience in the Hazardous Areas of Pakistan" in Astore, Ghizar, Gilgit, Hunza-Nagar districts of Gilgit-Baltistan and in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from December 2014 to March 2016. This project aimed at establishing community-based Early Warning Mechanisms, conducting community trainings for better preparedness/response, and creating efficient linkages between government officials and communities in the Project areas.

According to FOCUS, they organized 20 CBDRM, 600 police trainings, 300 tehsildar/patwari sessions, 50 DRM sessions, 40 camp management sessions, 100 monsoon preparedness and PMD sessions, and 100 map reading and earthquake preparedness sessions during two phase of the project.

According to FOCUS, the community emergency response teams (CERTs) -- trained under Norway funded projects -- were the first respondents during flash floods 2015 in Chitral and parts of Gilgit- Baltistan. They actively helped in evacuation, first aid, rescue, and also distributed tents, blankets, and first aid boxes available in the community stockpiles among thousands of residents of 100 villages. The CERTs also evacuated affectees out of hundreds of houses that collapsed due to earthquake in Chitral and parts of Gilgit-Baltistan in October 2015. Trained CERT members provided first aid and distributed tents, blankets among the victims of snow avalanche 2016 after evacuating them on the advice of Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD). Similarly, CERT members took part in search operation for three students who were hit by a rock avalanche and lost their lives in Uler Nullah in Hunza late 2017. CERT members also provide first aid to people hit by heat waves in Karachi while FOCUS continues to monitor the situation regularly.

2.10.6 UNDP - Community-based Disaster Reduction & Management Programme (CBDRM) CBDRM by UNDP was implemented in five high risk districts of three provinces. The activities in the project were implemented according to the priority districts specified under the National Disaster Management Implementation Road Map (NDMA, 2016-2022). Under the project, capacity building sessions for 9,480 local community members (4,835 men; 4,645 women) were held on the essentials of CBDRM. In addition, 35 mitigation schemes were implemented across five districts. The communities also made financial contribution to implementation of the identified risk mitigation scheme. 20% of the total cost of the mitigations schemes was contributed by the beneficiaries.

2.10.7 World Food Programme - Strengthening Disaster Preparedness & Response Capacity The project enabled World Food Program Pakistan to design and initiate the implementation of a set of structural and non-structural activities under the Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) and School Safety Programme in four hazard prone districts of Baluchistan and Sindh. The project trained more than six thousand local community members and officials in disaster preparedness and response planning. The School Safety Programme (SSP) was implemented in 80 selected government primary and middle boys and girls’ schools with over 14000 school children, teachers and members of school management committees trained and exercised in disaster preparedness and response planning at school level.

74 Norway has supported WFP and NDMA/PDMA in establishing warehouses with emergency equipment that are to be used if natural disasters occur. Photo: Jørn Wichne Pedersen/RNE

2.10.8 UN WOMEN - Gender & Child Cell in National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of Pakistan Under a third-party cost-sharing agreement between Norway and the UN Fund for Women (now UN Women), Norway provided NOK 3.5 million for the Project, titled: "Gender and Child Cell at NDAM and Technical Assistance to the PDMAs", for a period of one year, 2010-2011. The project contributed to creation and efficient functioning of Gender and Child Cell at NDMA and also provided technical assistance for integrating gender equality and child rights in the work of NDMA and PDMAs in Pakistan.

A series of sessions, workshops and briefings were conducted to create a level of political will and institutional support for integrating child issues in disaster situations. Along with in-house awareness raising, GCC has reached out to relevant stakeholders such as line ministries, mainly education, health, finance and civil society actors (NGOs, INGOs, media, etc.) for the sensitization and policy guidance.

2.10.9 IMPACT17 Institutional Strengthening -- The impact of Norwegian assistance is evident in terms of building institutional capacities of public entities, academic and research centres, civil society partners, and

17 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

75 communities. The most significant contributions are the formation of ‘Gender and Child Cell (GCC)’ at NDMA, development of web-portal of NIDM and its institutional capacity building. Where GCC has brought added focus on vulnerabilities and special needs of women and children in pre- and post-disaster situations, it has led to formulation of policies, standards, and guidelines for specialized assistance to women and children. Since formation of GCC, NDMA and humanitarian partners have applied policy guidance and standards to deliver prevention, preparedness, and response services to thousands of women and children. The GCC has become part of NDMA's core structure and continues to provide policy and operational advice and support to other units. Formulation of web-based/online disaster data base by NIDM has eased access to disaster information for all, i.e. public sector, researchers and humanitarian partners. Consolidated information is readily available and is widely used by range of development and humanitarian partners. The NIDM also contributes to creating a critical mass of trained personnel by organizing trainings for government and civil society and has the capacity to organize 24 trainings per annum for approximately 1900 participants. Similarly, with Norway's assistance, the Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management - UoPeshawar - has come to establish itself as a premier training and policy advice Centre. The Centre has trained hundreds of public officials and others in disaster risk management and continues to provide policy advice to PDMA.

Capacity-building/CBDRM -- The civil society/UN partners, i.e. FOCUS, ACF Pakistan, UN WOMEN, UNDP, WFP, and SUNGI have sensitized, organized, trained and equipped hundreds of community volunteers, school children, government official, teachers, and women as first responders in case of emergencies. Today the beneficiary communities across KP, Northern Areas, Punjab, and Sindh, stand increasingly aware of disaster risks and better prepared to respond in case they strike. The trained volunteers have so far rescued and assisted thousands struck by disasters in their respective areas. The trained communities are well-connected with relevant public authorities, who themselves have benefitted from the community-based training programmes. As a result of Norway's support, civil partners have added capacities and skills to engage with public stakeholders and trained and equipped communities to run CBDRM trainings and respond to disasters more effectively.

In nutshell, the partners in this sector have contributed significantly to community-based response and management skills through training, institutional development, and capacity building across Pakistan while working with government institutions, communities, and academia. Their work has in nutshell enhanced the capacity and competence of communities and government officials to respond effectively to a disaster situation.

2.11 MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS

2.11.1 Pakistani-Norwegian Enterprise Cooperation Programme In pursuance of Agreed Minutes from the Annual Bilateral Consultations between Norway and Pakistan held in Islamabad during March 1993 and March 1994, Norway and Pakistan signed an agreement in July 1995, under which Norway allocated NOK 3.2 million for a period of three years, 1995 to 1998, to promote cooperation between the Norwegian and Pakistani enterprises. The goal of this project was, "increased commercial and technical cooperation between Norway and Pakistan". This mechanism mobilized a good number of Norwegian and Pakistan business enterprises to cooperate with each other; however, the Norwegian Government discontinued the programme when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests on 28 May 1998. The Pakistani partner implemented this project in cooperation with NB Partners AS, Norway.

76 2.11.2 Support to NGO Resource Centre, Aga Khan Foundation Norway provided NOK 1.257.600 to Aga Khan Foundation in support of its project, "NGO Resource Centre", which aimed at strengthening the role of NGOs and quality of their development work in Karachi through improved competence amongst NGOs as well as their working environment. This project started in 1992 and ended in 1995.

2.11.3 Teachers Resource Centre, Aga Khan University, Karachi Norway provided NOK 296.257 to Teachers Resource Centre (TRC) of the Aga Khan University, Karachi for implementation of its project, "Initiating Change Through Professional Development (ICPD-II), from 1994 - 1995. This project aimed at working with women teachers of government girl’s schools in Karachi. The project focused on early childhood education and trained 250 teachers, impacting 10,000 girls, trained 20 workshop leaders, trained 20 heads and supervisors on "support colleagues".

2.11.4 Mahbubul Haq Human Development Centre (MHDC) - Human Development Report Dr Mahbub-ul-Haq was a prominent Pakistani Norway has supported Dr Mahbub-ul-Haq Human economist and lead architect of UNDP's Human Development Centre from 2002 until 2011, for the Development Report. Subsequent to Dr Haq's publication and dissemination of its annual South demise, his wife renamed the Human Asia Human Development Report. Development Centre, founded by Dr Haq, to The Centre is currently functioning under the Mahbub-ul-Haq Human Development Centre (M- auspices of Lahore University of Management HDC). The annual Human Development Report, Sciences (LUMS) and is regularly publishing its published by the M-HDC, focused exclusively on annual report even after the termination of the South Asia region. This report aimed at Norway's financial assistance. Its annual report has developed into a credible source of information for highlighting burning human development issues the South Asian policy makers. facing the South Asia region and drawing the attention of policy-makers and respective During meeting with the LUMS Vice Chancellor, the governments toward solving them. The Centre latter expressed desire for collaboration with Norwegian universities, increasing student to published and launched this report in all SAARC student interaction. countries annually.

Phase-I: Norway started supporting the Centre in 2002 and provided NOK 1.1 million for the period 2002 - 2004. This support covered publication and dissemination of M-HDC Human Development Report, focusing exclusively on the South Asian region. This report covered a broad range of social development issues facing South Asia. It presented in-depth analysis of human development issues and proposed policy recommendations to solve them. Subsequently, Norway provided NOK 1.3 million for the period 2006 - 2008 (Phase-II); NOK 1.0 million for the period 2006 - 2008 (Phase-III); and NOK 1.3 million for Phase-IV covering the period 2009 - 2011.

2.11.5 THRIVE - Chitral Integrated Area Development Programme (CIADP) Norway supported an integrated development project in Chitral, titled: "Chitral Integrated Area Development Programme (CIADP)" through a consortium of two local organisations, namely: THRIVE. The project supported District government capacity building, Environment and disaster risk reduction/disaster risk management (DRR/DRM), natural resource management (NRM) and livelihood, Education (including infrastructure), Health, Heritage and Knowledge management. The project started in 2009 and ended in 2015 with a total support of NOK 50 million, plus NOK 5 million from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands. The program was implemented in most parts of Chitral through Local Support Organisations (LSOs), relevant government departments and communities. Its cooperation and implementation model, developed after long consultations among a broad array of stakeholders, was the first of its kind, developed and tested in Chitral.

77 2.11.6 Support to Social Action Programme Phase-II (SAP-II) Implemented through the World Bank, Norway provided NOK 1.0 million during 1999 to support the Multi-Donor Support Unit (MSU) and NOK 10.5 million during 2001 - 2002 for Strengthening of School Management Committees component of the SAP-II. The World Bank implemented SAP-II in collaboration with Federal Directorate of Education, Punjab Education Department and Sindh Education Department.

2.11.7 Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Norway provided NOK 0.264 million as seed money for the creation SDPI in 1992. The SDPI was founded on the recommendation of Pakistan National Conservation Strategy (NCS), also called Pakistan's Agenda 21, to serve as a source of expertise for policy analysis and development, policy intervention, and policy and programme advisory services. In addition to making policy interventions at diverse forums, the SDPI's flagship activity is its Annual Sustainable Development Conference that discusses pressing social development issues facing Pakistan. Norway has co-financed this Conference, too, a few times. SDPI has been ranked among top think tanks of the world by the University of Pennsylvania's Global Go To Think Tank Index (GGTTI). It was ranked 97 amongst top global (non-US) think tanks; whereas, it stood at 14th position among the top think tanks of South-East Asia and the Pacific. It is ranked top among the 25 think tanks from Pakistan included in the list of some 7,815 think tanks across the globe.

2.11.8 Pakistan Partnership Programme (PPP) Though PPP is not part of Norway's bilateral aid portfolio for Pakistan, it deserves special mentioning here because it is a unique initiative launched by the Norwegian Government to enable Pakistani diaspora in Norway to envisage and implement social development initiatives in Pakistan, thus, cementing ties with their country of origin. This project is being administered directly by Norad Oslo with technical support from a Pakistani NGO, Sungi Development Foundation. Under this project, Norad provides financial assistance to NGOs established and headed by Pakistan-origin Norwegian nationals to implement projects in health and education sector in different parts of Pakistan.

2.11.9 IMPACT18 The impact varies across projects for a variety of initiatives funded under this portfolio. M-HDC annual report contributed to highlighting pressing socio-economic issues facing South Asia region. The support extended to M-HDC and SDPI, promoted critical thinking and parallel discourse around social and economic development by producing valuable researches on pressing social policy issues. The two institutions extended policy advice on a range of development issues to address policy challenges in Pakistan and South Asian region. Where M-HDC emerged as an advocate of human development at regional level, the SDPI managed to secure global recognition. The CIADP demonstrated a practical and effective model of ‘public-private partnership’ for lasting social impact. It produced valuable learning around partnership management, which helped Norway improve partnership choices and management practices. The support to SAP contributed to institutionalization of community support and engagement in the form of ‘School Management Committees’. The formalization made these forums, especially the parents, take more active and assertive role in school affairs.

18 Impact assessment is based on information collected from the archives, during field visits, meetings with partner organisations, and anecdotal account.

78 3. CONCLUSION / FINDINGS This report manifests that Norway's development cooperation programme for Pakistan has produced tangible and lasting results/impacts in the sectors Norway has supported between 1969 to 2018. Moreover, this report manifests that the overarching feature of Norway's development assistance is its innate focus on building capacity and competence of Pakistani public as well as civil society institutions with a view to enabling them to implement, sustain, and scale up the results achieved through their respective projects/programmes. Similarly, the evidence obtained during literature review and feedback from the partners suggests that Norway's long-term support to human rights organisations such as HRCP, Aurat Foundation, Sahil and Shirkat Gah has contributed to raising awareness and improving the legislative, institutional, and community mechanisms to address human rights issues in Pakistan, with special focus on women and children. Furthermore, Norway's support to Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation Programme has significantly contributed to improving the knowledge and implementation capacity of partner Pakistani institutions that worked hand-in-hand with their Norwegian counterparts.

This report also charts out that Norway's development cooperation programme has evolved in terms of its programmatic focus (from commodity/technical assistance to project/programme mode to support diverse sectors such as environment, education, culture, good governance, DRR/DRM), as well as partnership modalities (from government to civil society organisations, UN system, multilateral institutions). However, the partnership curve skewed gradually in favour of non-governmental sector as compared to direct support to the Government as seen in early years of the cooperation;

Norway appears to have successfully achieved a strategic spread across Pakistan by supporting projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, (erstwhile) FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan as well as in parts of Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, and Azad Kashmir. Similarly, Norway has maintained a balanced focus by partnering with government, civil society, UN system, and multilateral institutions for channelling its funds;

With regard to the principles of donor harmonization and alignment as outlined in the Paris Declaration, Norway appears to have given priority to joining hands with other donors, multilateral platforms and most importantly working directly with government institutions (in early years). This approach has evidently contributed to the larger national agenda besides placing Norway as a strategic partner on the national development scene;

There are more than one examples to evidence that Norway's development partners in Pakistan have applied innovative approaches to contribute to poverty alleviation, promote gender equality, and institutional capacity development through their respective projects/ programmes in multiple sectors, e.g., support to culture sector for rehabilitation/re-use of historical buildings;

This report also underscores the Embassy's limited capacity to effectively monitor projects and document results/impacts as one area that needs attention;

It is evidenced throughout this report that Norway's development partners, including Government of Pakistan, recognize and value its role as a flexible donor that gives priority to need-based development, e.g., construction of hydropower stations and the hydroelectric workshop in Gilgit- Baltistan; creation of Human Rights Study Centre at University of Peshawar; construction of 250 Local Circle Offices (LCOs) across KP, a girls school in Buner, and revival of Parent Teacher Councils under BEIP; establishment of Cleaner Production Centre for the tanning industry in Sialkot, creation of Punjab Examination Commission under UqPE project in Punjab; piloting of innovative mechanisms 79 in Sindh health department under NPPI; creation of a leading think tank, namely SDPI; institutionalizing an umbrella mechanism for cooperation among Norwegian and Pakistani institutions for exchange of technical know-how/expertise; and support to an enabling legislative and legal environment for protection of human rights, with special focus on women and children, with an overall objective to contribute to pro-poor development;

Norway through its various programmes has forayed into areas which are otherwise considered to be unconventional for donors. For examples, Norway's work with Wafaq-ul-Madaris through the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) for promoting intra-/inter-faith harmony in Pakistan. Norway's support to KP education department included mainstreaming of madrassa education. This component covered 117 selected madrassas, which - as found out through two reviews - not only appreciated Norway's support, but also demanded its continuation. Norway has used its support to culture not only for promoting cultural tourism in Pakistan - contributing toward poverty alleviation - but also for improving the policy environment to ensure that income from historical sites is spent directly on their maintenance. Pak-Norway Institutional Cooperation Programme has contributed to research and capacity building in diverse areas like cancer, agriculture, preparation of polymer membrane, meteorology, surveying, inclusive education, petroleum engineering, fisheries, etc.;

Norway's principles of need-based development and recipient responsibility have enabled Pakistani partner institutions to sustain and scale up the results achieved with Norway's contribution. While making partnership choices and chalking out sectorial priorities, due consideration be given to the priorities set by the Government of Pakistan;

Finally, the achievements of Norway's development cooperation programme indicate that increased interaction and consultations with Government of Pakistan would be a continuing need to ensure that implementation gaps are addressed promptly. The abrupt switch-over from one sector to another could easily compromise the gains made in a particular sector. It is proposed that periodic meetings with Government of Pakistan (Economic Affairs Divison) be revived to inform as well as get a better understanding of government's development priorities.

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(Front/back cover page photo: Mr Jørn Wichne Pedersen, First Secretary, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad)