PESHAWAR, Nov 26: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday launched an 80 million Euro European Union-assisted District Governance and Community Development Programme (DGCDP) for the militancy-hit six districts of Malakand division.

The DGCDP is meant to contribute towards an effective development and peace building strategy for the provincial government that supports transformation of its functioning, making it more accountable and providing equitable opportunities for better health, education and employment.

The targeted districts include Malakand, Swat, Shangla, Lower and Upper Dir and Chitral.

The DGCDP will increase investment in community development in targeted areas responding to specific local demands, and provide an inclusive, representative system of community mobilisation.

It addresses three strategic objectives of the Post-Crisis Needs Assessment, which includes building responsiveness and effectiveness of the state to restore citizens` trusts stimulate employment and livelihood opportunities besides ensuring delivery of basic services.

Senior Minister Finance and PlanningSirajul Haq was the chief guest during the launching ceremony.

He termed the programme as an initiative for development and appreciated the European Union and their taxpayers for wholeheartedly contributing to it.

The minister said it would supplement the government ef forts to address the causes of conflict in the areas and provide support to the people at grassroots level.

Local Government Minister Inayatullah Khan said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had gone beyond the level of union council to the village level for devolution of powers.

He said under the new law, village council would be the basic unit.

On the occasion, the EU delegates promised full support for the provincial government`s initiatives and expressed the hope that the partnership would continue.

Deputy Head of EU delegation Pierre Mayudon, Director Asia of Europe Aid Dirk Meganck, provincial finance secretary Said Badshah Bukhari and DGCDP Director Akmal Minallah, MNA Sahibzada Tariqullah, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) Khalid Parvez and the Malakand commissioner, public representatives, and senior government officials attended the ceremony. APP