Advancing integrated social protection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A multi-stakeholder workshop highlights commitment to building inclusive, efficient and coordinated social protection systems in the province.
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (ILO News) – Participants at a technical workshop on integrated social protection systems explored practical ways to improve data sharing, enhance institutional coordination, and accelerate the implementation of the Provincial Social Protection Strategy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Led by the Sustainable Development Unit and Social Protection Reform Unit, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the workshop marked a key step toward building a more inclusive and efficient provincial social protection framework.
The event brought together technical officials from twelve provincial departments overseeing social protection programmes, reflecting strong political will and interdepartmental commitment to coordinated reform. The workshop focused on enhancing interoperability, improving data-sharing protocols, and aligning provincial priorities with national strategies.
Akmal Khan, Director General of the Sustainable Development Unit and workshop convenor, highlighted the importance of whole-of-government approaches to social protection. “This collaborative initiative goes beyond policy alignment—it’s about delivering tangible improvements in people’s lives through inclusive and efficient systems,” he said during his opening remarks.
Geir Tonstol, Country Director, ILO Pakistan said, “This workshop marks the beginning of deeper engagement with the provincial government and development partners on advancing universal social protection — a key pillar of Pakistan’s national commitment under the Global Accelerator, where the country serves as a pathfinder.”
The workshop featured detailed discussions on the development of an Integrated Beneficiary Registry aimed at improving targeting mechanisms and ensuring equitable coverage across programmes. Participants also explored frameworks for secure and interoperable data systems and emphasized the role of digital tools, governance structures, and strategic partnerships in building a resilient social protection architecture.
Representatives from participating departments shared their experiences and insights on addressing operational challenges and leveraging institutional strengths. The sessions also focused on the implementation of key commitments under the Provincial Social Protection Strategy, with emphasis on harmonizing efforts across federal and provincial levels.
Development partners reaffirmed their support for Pakistan’s social protection goals. Frota Luis, ILO representative, stated that “inclusive and coherent social protection systems remain fundamental to reducing inequality and poverty.” Frank Schneider from GIZ reiterated their commitment to strengthening institutional capacities for sustainable impact.
The Sustainable Development Unit will lead the next round of technical consultations to maintain momentum and advance the targets outlined in the Provincial Social Protection.
For further information, please contact:
Muhammad Numan
Communication Officer
Email: numan@ilo.org
Mobile: +92 303 5000041
