Switzerland attributes great importance to Pakistan’s political, social and economic development. A peaceful and prosperous Pakistan is crucial for peace and stability in the region. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation was one of the first development partners to initiate development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Having been active in Pakistan for more than 50 years, the SDC has focused on alleviating poverty, empowering people by improving good governance and livelihoods and supporting disadvantaged population groups in their daily lives. The SDC has also provided extensive humanitarian assistance, such as emergency relief, reconstruction, rehabilitation and prevention as well as preparedness before and after natural and humanitarian crisis.
The Swiss Cooperation Strategy 2017-2019 has been elaborated together with SDC’s development partners including the Government of Pakistan. The strategy is aligned with the Government of Pakistan’s national and provincial development priorities. It focuses on a consolidation of the successful experiences and lessons learnt by the SDC and other Swiss development actors since their operation started with the Pakistan Hindukush Programme in 2011. The main objectives of this strategy are threefold: 1) support for inclusive and sustainable water governance, 2) increased state-citizenship trust through inclusive and accountable service delivery by governments as well as 3) strengthened human rights protection and policy reforms.
