National Commission for Human Development

Islamabad October 11 2023:
NCHD and Nutrition International collaborate to improve nutrition in Pakistan

The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and Nutrition International (NI), a global organization that works to end malnutrition, have agreed to work together to improve the nutritional status of the people of Pakistan, especially women and children.

The Director General of NCHD, Mr. Nasir ud Din Mashhood Ahmad Mirza , met with the Country Director of Nutrition International, Dr. Shabina Raza, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the NI headquarters in Islamabad. They discussed the current situation of nutrition in Pakistan and the challenges and opportunities for improving it.

The DG NCHD said that we are committed to improving the health and well-being of the people of Pakistan through its various programs and initiatives. He said that NCHD values the partnership with Nutrition International and hopes to benefit from its technical expertise and experience in implementing nutrition interventions.

Dr. Shabina Raza elaborated that Nutrition International is pleased to collaborate with NCHD to address the issue of malnutrition in Pakistan. She said that Nutrition International will provide technical support to NCHD for strengthening its capacity to deliver quality nutrition services to the communities.

The two leaders agreed to develop a joint action plan for enhancing the nutrition component of NCHD’s programs. They also agreed to explore the possibilities of joint advocacy and resource mobilization for scaling up nutrition interventions in Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both organizations. They expressed their hope that the collaboration between NCHD and Nutrition International will result in improved nutrition outcomes for the people of Pakistan.

Pakistan Human Development Fund donates hall chairs to Islamabad Model School for boys I/10-3

Islamabad, October 10, 2023: The Pakistan Human Development Fund (PHDF), a public-private partnership that supports the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and its programs, made an in-kind contribution of hall chairs to the Islamabad Model School for boys I/10-3 on Tuesday.

The donation ceremony was attended by Nasir ud Din Mashhood Ahmad Mirza, the Director General of NCHD, who was the chief guest at the occasion. He appreciated the PHDF for its generous gesture and lauded their commitments and efforts to support NCHD in promoting human development through education, healthcare, and social development programs across the country.

He also praised the Islamabad Model School for boys I/10-3 for its academic performance and urged the students to make the best use of the facilities provided by the PHDF and NCHD. He said that education is the key to success and prosperity and encouraged the students to pursue their dreams with dedication and hard work.

The CEO of PHDF, Ms. Mehbooba Razaq, and the Director of PHDF, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali, also graced the occasion and expressed their commitment to support NCHD and its partner schools in improving the quality of education and learning outcomes for the students.

They said that PHDF is a unique model of collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the international donor community, and aims to ensure sustainable human development in Pakistan. They said that PHDF has been providing financial and technical assistance to NCHD and its programs since 2003 and has contributed to various initiatives such as Adult Literacy, Primary Education, Health services, Skill Development, Community Empowerment, and Advocacy through Social Mobilization.

Dr. Shafqat Ali Janjua (Area Education Officer) Islamabad Urban thanked the Honorable guests for attending the event and he informed the audience about the services he renedered while posted at NCHD as Director Education and Acting Director General. He commended NCHD as one of the unique organization he expreienced during his professional career.

The principal of Islamabad Model School for boys I/10-3, Mr. Kifayatullah thanked the PHDF and NCHD for their valuable support and said that the hall chairs will be very useful for conducting various academic and co-curricular activities in the school. He also thanked the chief guest and other dignitaries for their presence and guidance.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks to NCHD-PHDF for their unflinching support to the cause of education.

Islamabad, 6th October 2023

NCHD held a meeting with Research and Development Solutions (RADS) at NCHD Head Office with the purpose of developing a dashboard that highlights NCHD interventions regarding human development indicators.

The meeting was attended by officials from RADS and NCHD.

NCHD has signed an agreement with Research and Development Solutions (RADS) that aims to establish a collaborative partnership that fosters research and knowledge development in addressing health issues, analyzing interventions, and developing education programs. This MOU enables both partners to achieve their goals by collaborating on research activities and facilitating evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.

In this connection, a meeting was organized with the agenda to review and finalize variables for the dashboard and discuss in detail the technical aspects and process of data integration. It will provide access to data from the student level to the provincial level, ensuring comprehensive insights. The timeline for dashboard development and testing was considered as well.

In the next phase of the meeting, all the data and financial implications may be discussed.

The meeting ended with the aim of creating a user-friendly dashboard that empowers both parties to make data-driven decisions and drive positive change.

*NCHD PO KP* The worthy Director General NCHD made his inaugural visit to PO NCHD KP, where the DO NCHD KP provided a comprehensive overview of previous accomplishments, current progress, ongoing activities, and future course of action for each program, including UP, Literacy, VCD, and Special Projects.

The session was very interactive, with the chair offering valuable guidance on planning and implementing upcoming activities. The DO NCHD KP expresses deep gratitude to the DG for this impactful visit.

Peshawar KP September 28, 2023: The worthy Director General NCHD Mr. Nasir-ud-Din Mashhood Ahmad Mirza visited Central Jail peshawar as Guest of Honor owing to an invitation extended by DOPASI foundation and Director Operations KP Mr. Anwar Iqbal. He extended his gratitude and thanks to the whole DOPASI foundation Senior Management and team for successful intervention and marvelous work in Central Jail Peshawar. He commended the KP team efforts in organizing such a vital initiative in a short span of time. He also praised the use of innovative technology such as AI and ultra-portable X-ray machines to facilitate the screening process. In addition to that they use GeneXpert machines which are devices that can detect TB bacteria and their resistance to certain drugs in less than two hours. They use a molecular technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify and identify the DNA of the bacteria from sputum samples which will drastically reduce the cost incurred while testing the patients for diagnosis of TB. He said that such interventions are vital for achieving the goal of ending TB by 2030 in Pakistan.

He was informed by Project Coordinator Mr. Muhammad Ali while stating, "DOPASI Foundation has conducted a TB screening intervention in Central Jail Peshawar, where they screened out 400 prisoners out of 1200 inmates. The intervention was done in collaboration with the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and the Directorate General Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The intervention aimed to provide early diagnosis and treatment of TB among prisoners, who are at high risk of contracting and spreading the disease due to overcrowding, poor ventilation, and lack of hygiene."

While Addressing the august gathering the worthy DG NCHD reiterated, "NCHD in partnership with the DOPASI foundation has taken the initiative from central jail Peshawar which will be further replicated in District Jail Swat and extended to District Shangla KP where screening of schools' students for TB will be undertaken. District Shangla is one of the most effected districts where TB has been found rampant and almost 8 out of 10 households have been identified with mycobacterium tuberculosis as per a recent survey conducted by DOPASI foundation. This will prove as one of the unique interventions of NCHD in partnership with DOPASI Foundation. NCHD aims at adopting a futuristic approach for making it the part of its regular interventions as per its mandate conferred upon by the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan with a vision to expand its circle involving the identification, cure and prevention of the disease, Nationwide."

He further added, "This joint venture of both the organization is self evident and Hallmark which will manifest its usefulness in the years to come resulting in TB free generations. This timely action in collaboration with all the worthy stakeholders will prove both organizations as trialblazers in eradicating TB."

After visiting the TB diagnosis camp, the DG NCHD distributed certificates among the prisoners for successful completion of their skill development courses organized by various Industries.

He laid emphasis on better health and hygiene facilities to the prisoners to provide them with the opportunity to become a beneficial member of the society after getting released on completion of their term of imprisonment.

He thanked IG Prisons, Additional IG Prisons, SP Prsion, Chief Secretary KP, Secretary Health and Additional Deputy Commissioner for supporting the cause of DOPASI foundation and NCHD.

Islamabad September 22, 2023:

NCHD and DOPASI Foundation held a collaborative meeting to discuss health issues in Pakistan particularly focusing on TB control in Pakistan.

The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and the DOPASI Foundation, two leading organizations in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Pakistan, held a collaborative meeting at the NCHD Head Office in Islamabad on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Mashhood Ahmad, the Director General of NCHD, Dr. Usman Project Manager DOPASI, Ms. Mishal Javed Project Coordinator and attended by representatives from NCHD.

The meeting aimed to discuss the current situation of health related indicators in Pakistan, the challenges and opportunities to join hands together to help and support the vulnerable communities, and to explore the potential areas of cooperation between NCHD and DOPASI Foundation. They agreed to instantly pilot the project from District Peshawar and ICT. Through IMPACT intervention, DOPASI foundation will initially hand over 30 Tablets programmed for collecting Civil Registration of Vital Statistics in two Union Councils in ICT.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan is one of the 30 high TB burden countries in the world, with an estimated 510,000 new TB cases and 15,000 TB deaths every year. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, as many people with TB symptoms have faced difficulties in accessing health services or have avoided seeking care due to fear of infection.

NCHD and DOPASI Foundation are both committed to ending the TB epidemic in Pakistan by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the End TB Strategy of the WHO. NCHD has been working on health and its determinants nationwide, where TB has been a big area of work for the past couple of years. DOPASI Foundation is a donor-friendly organization that partners with those organizations that share its vision and provide sufficient room to network. It has been recognized as one of the 2021 Kochon Prize winners by the Stop TB Partnership for its outstanding contribution to TB control in Pakistan.

The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to strengthen the collaboration between NCHD and DOPASI Foundation and to explore new avenues of partnership for scaling up TB interventions and reaching every person affected by TB with essential services.

The Director General also expressed gratitude to the donors, partners, and stakeholders who have supported their efforts in combating TB.

IG Punjab Appreciates the efforts of DD Sargodha NCHD for uplifting and mainstreaming the transgenders into the mainstream of development. Mahar Umar Daraz DD Sargodha NCHD has always been the torch bearer and a role model for others.

NCHD'S Sargodha efforts regarding rehabilitation of Transgender and nomads appreciated by IG Punjab آئی جی پنجاب ڈاکٹر عثمان انور نے پولیس تحفظ مرکز سرگودھا سے مستفید ہونے والی فیملیز ، بچوں، ٹرانسجینڈرز اور معاون ادارے نیشنل کمیشن فار ہیومن ڈویلپمنٹ ضلع سر...

Islamabad September 15, 2023:NCHD and FJWU join hands for women empowerment and improving Human Development Indicators through innovative approaches in education and skill enhancing projects.

The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and the Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) have agreed to collaborate on various projects for the promotion of women empowerment and Adult Literacy through an integrated approach incorporating skill development components in Pakistan. The two institutions aim to foster academic and research cooperation, exchange of faculty and students, joint organization of seminars and workshops, and development of joint proposals for funding from national and international agencies.

Professor Dr Malik Ghulam Behlol, Dr. Bushra Ghaus Manager Reseach and Development, Dr. Farhana from FJWU atrended the meeting

Dr. Behlol said that FJWU is committed to providing quality education to the women of Pakistan and advancing learning to the highest level attainable through research, teaching, and dissemination of knowledge. He said that FJWU has a vision to promote and facilitate studies and research in various fields of higher education for women, especially in the context of Pakistan’s society. He expressed his hope that the collaboration with NCHD will enhance the academic and professional development of women and contribute to the social and economic progress of the country.

The Worthy Director General NCHD said that NCHD is a statutory body established by the Government of Pakistan in 2002 with a mandate to promote human development by improving access to basic education and health services, especially for the marginalized segments of the society. He said that NCHD has been implementing various programs and projects across the country, such as adult literacy, non-formal education, early childhood education, community schools, health centers, skill development centers, etc. He further added about an initiative regarding Civil Registrstion of Vital statistics which is infact the base for all future interventions and planning process He said that NCHD values the partnership with FJWU as a leading women’s university in Pakistan and looks forward to working together for the empowerment and education of women.

Director Admin/M&E Syed M.Hussain Bukhari gave a detailed briefing through a presentation about NCHD past projects, current activities and future plans.

Islamabad 13, 2023:
NCHD and OPM hold a collaborative meeting to discuss human development issues and opportunities in Pakistan

The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and the Oxford Policy Management (OPM) team held a collaborative meeting on Wednesday at the NCHD Head Office in Islamabad to discuss various human development issues and opportunities in Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Mr. Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Mashood Ahmad, the Director General of NCHD, and Mr.Zafar, , Ms. Yamna along with other senior officials and experts from both organizations.

The meeting aimed to explore the potential areas of cooperation and partnership between NCHD and OPM, which are both leading institutions in the field of human development. NCHD is a statutory body established by the Government of Pakistan in 2002 to promote human development through education, health, and social development programs across the country. OPM is an international development consulting firm that helps low- and middle-income countries achieve growth and reduce poverty and disadvantage through public policy reform.

The meeting covered various topics, such as health, education, social protection, urban poverty alleviation, economic development, climate change, and governance. The participants exchanged views and insights on the current challenges and opportunities for human development in Pakistan, as well as the best practices and lessons learned from their respective projects and programs. They also discussed the possible ways of collaboration and coordination between NCHD and OPM, such as joint research and evaluation, capacity building, advocacy, and policy advice.

Mr. Ahmad appreciated the work and expertise of OPM in various sectors of human development, especially in health, education, and social protection. He said that NCHD is keen to partner with OPM to enhance its impact and effectiveness in delivering its mandate of improving the quality of life and well-being of the people of Pakistan. He expressed his hope that the meeting will pave the way for a fruitful and long-term cooperation between NCHD and OPM.

Mr. Zafar on behalf of Mr. Abdur Rauf Khan Country Director OPM thanked Mr. Ahmad for hosting the meeting and praised the achievements and contributions of NCHD in promoting human development in Pakistan. She said that OPM is honored to work with NCHD, which is a renowned institution in the field of human development. She said that OPM is committed to supporting NCHD in its efforts to address the social challenges that Pakistan faces. She said that OPM looks forward to developing a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with NCHD.

NCHD and Research and Development Solutions (RADS) sign MoU to collaborate on research and evaluation projects for human development

The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and the Research and Development Solutions (RADS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate on research and evaluation projects that aim to enhance human development in Pakistan. The MoU was signed by Mr. Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Mashood Ahmad, the Director General of NCHD, and Dr. Adnan Khan, the Chief Knowledge Officer of RADS, in a ceremony held at the NCHD Head Office in Islamabad on Tuesday.

According to the MoU, NCHD and RADS will work together to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate various programs and policies related to health, education, social development, urban poverty alleviation, and economic development for under-privileged populations. They will also conduct primary and secondary data analysis, impact evaluations, randomized controlled trials, surveys, qualitative research, and advocacy on relevant issues. Moreover, they will share their expertise, resources, and networks to support each other’s activities and objectives.

Mr. Ahmad said that NCHD is committed to promoting human development through evidence-based interventions across the country. He said that NCHD is pleased to partner with RADS, which is a leading research and evaluation group with multidisciplinary expertise and experience. He expressed his hope that the collaboration will result in innovative and effective solutions for the social challenges that Pakistan faces.

Dr. Khan said that RADS is dedicated to generating evidence for the design and review of programs and policies that improve the quality of life and well-being of people. He said that RADS is honored to join hands with NCHD, which is a renowned institution in the field of human development. He said that the partnership will enable them to conduct high-quality research and evaluation that will inform decision-making and policy-making at various levels.

The Directors of NCHD and Program Manager RADS and Officer attended the event.

Islamabad September 12, 2023:

The worthy Director General NCHD was invited to attend an awareness campaign about following the traffic rules to avoid accidents which cause fatal injuries and deaths. He graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The event was organized by Rana Sarfarz Ahmed sb, Deputy General Secretary Islamabad Press Club in collaboration with Punjab Group of Colleges and Islamabad Traffic Police.

While addressing the gathering attended by members of civil society, Secretary General Press club, president trade union, Officials from Punjab Group of Colleges and students, the Director General stated,

" Pakistan is the country where the highest number of road casualties has been recorded as per World Health Organization Report published in 2020. As per the report 28, 720 passengers died during traffic accidents leaving the double number fatally injured."

He reiterated further on abiding by the traffic rules to minimize the road accidents and to reduce the numbers of people who die aimlessly leaving behind their families vulnerable and aggrieved.

The campaign ended with commitment and resolve by the students and other participants to obey the traffic rules and persuade others to play their due share in overcoming the hazards caused due to road accidents.

Islamabad September 8,2023:

International Literacy Day 2023

A seminar on the eve of International Literacy Day was organized at AIOU in collaboration with NCHD, Ministry of FE & PT, JICA and other partner organizations. The Honorable Minister Federal Education

Mr.Madad Ali Sindhi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, the VC AIOU, DG NCHD, and Program Manager JICA also joined him on the stage. The Federal Minister during his speech emphasized upon paving the ways towards eradicating illiteracy and to come up with viable solutions for achieving the goal of 100 percent literate Pakistan.

This year 2023 Theme of International Literacy Day (ILD) is “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’.

The DG NCHD during his speech stated, "This is an important occasion for planners and decision makers in Pakistan to assess and review achievements and shortfalls in the field of basic education and Adult Literacy.NCHD with it's huge infrastructure placed in every district of pakistan and trained Human Resources may be equipped with resources to play as the lead role in setting targets to achieve the sustainable development goals to improve the Human Development Indicators in Pakistan." He also delineated the rapidly falling HDI ranking from 142 to 161 as per the HDI UNDP reports with urgency to plan and implement programs and projects to improve HDI ranking.

The day was marked towards the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to which the international community committed eight years ago. By resolving to achieve it, countries and partners envision a future world that is peaceful, just, inclusive, and free from poverty, hunger, and inequalities.

Islamabad September 6,2023:
TOT for 25 Master trainers from NCHD BECS, NEF, PAGE, Sunbeams, SPO & JJT was concluded at AIOU Islamabad.

The worthy Director General Mr. Nasir ud din Mashhood Ahmad was the chief guest on the occasion. While Addressing the Master Trainers, "the DG emphasized upon incorporating the best practices by introducing innovative methodologies for improving the quality of education. He stressed upon developing partnerships and joining hands with organization like JICA and other national and international development partners to put every effort to streamline the poorest of the poor strata of the communities nationwide. He stated, NCHD is the sole organization at the Federal Level which after devolution has the legal mandate to work across the country for ameliorating the Human Development Indicators by invoking Article 25-A and 37-B of the constitution. He appreciated the efforts of the trainers and expressed his gratitude to JICA for sponsoring the event."

Through this poll of master trainers ,around 300 ALP teachers will be trained through a one-week cluster-based training from 11-15 September 2023. To ensure the best possible accessible venue for the training of ALP teachers, the following clusters have been identified.
1. Tarnol
2. Shah Allah Ditta/ Golra Sharif
3. G-6 or G-7 Sector
4. Bahra Kahu
5. Malpur (Bahra Kahu)
6. Sohan
7. Jabba Teli
8. Korang (Expressway)

For smooth operation NCHD and JICA-AQAL will jointly ensure other logistics, training materials, refreshments etc. during the training.