Germany–Pakistan Cooperation Powers a New Era of Social Protection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is redefining how people are protected from poverty and crisis. The new Social Protection Strategy brings fragmented programmes into one inclusive system that leaves no one behind.
The Context:
For many families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, poverty, inequality, and recurring disasters have long shaped everyday life. Access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and income security has remained uneven, particularly for informal workers, persons with disabilities, and women. While several welfare schemes existed, they often operated in isolation, fragmented, overlapping, and unable to reach those most in need.
Recognising this gap, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa set out to redefine how social protection should function, not as a collection of short-term relief efforts, but as a coherent system that safeguards people across their life cycle. This vision led to the development of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Social Protection Strategy 2025–2030, supported by the German Government through GIZ.
The strategy translates the province’s Social Protection Policy 2022 into an actionable framework that connects welfare programmes, disaster risk management, and livelihood promotion under one umbrella. It represents a shift from fragmented charity-based support to a rights-based system that guarantees protection, dignity, and opportunity for all citizens.
The Need:
The past few years have shown why such transformation is vital. The COVID-19 pandemic left many households unprotected, while floods and rising prices deepened existing vulnerabilities. As Muhammad Nadir Khan Rana, Special Secretary at the Planning and Development Department, observed, “Our assessments showed fragmented service delivery and critical gaps. Many programmes overlapped, but others left behind orphans, persons with disabilities, informal workers, and the elderly.”
These challenges underscored the need for a coordinated approach, one that not only delivers aid but builds resilience. The Social Protection Strategy was therefore designed after an in-depth review of more than 50 existing programmes and extensive consultations with policymakers and experts.
According to Kamran Khan, Additional Secretary and Project Director, “For the first time, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has identified a system that brings together many efforts into one strong framework.” This framework defines how provincial institutions, data systems, and programmes can work together to reach the right people at the right time.
The strategy also places strong emphasis on inclusion and gender equality. Women and girls, who are often disproportionately affected by poverty and climate crises, are at the centre of this reform. Every measure, from social transfers to skills development, is designed to ensure that no one is left behind.
As DG Muhammad Khalid Zaman explained, “We needed an integrated approach to bring coherence, efficiency, and sustainability to social protection, because without it, poverty and vulnerability could only deepen.”
The Impact:
“A landmark step towards a more inclusive and resilient society,” said Maria Jose Poddey, Country Director, GIZ Pakistan. “It reflects strong political commitment and a shared vision to make social protection responsive, data-driven, and adaptive to climate and economic challenges.”
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Social Protection Strategy 2025–2030 outlines a clear pathway for building a resilient and inclusive society. It focuses on four key pillars: supporting poor families, protecting workers and the elderly, ensuring access to education and healthcare, and creating jobs through skills and training.
To ensure these commitments translate into real change, the government plans to establish a Social Protection Authority, a dedicated institution responsible for coordination, monitoring, and data management. Through innovations such as a unified socio-economic registry and digital payment systems, the strategy aims to make service delivery transparent, efficient, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
Integration with disaster management is another key advancement. By aligning social protection with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the province aims to protect communities not only during crises but also in their recovery and long-term adaptation.
Johanna Knoess, Head of Project for Adaptive Social Protection and Social Health Protection at GIZ Pakistan, described the approach as “rooted in dignity, inclusion, and resilience, a model for other provinces to follow.” She highlighted that the German Government remains committed to supporting KP in building systems that enable citizens to live secure and empowered lives.
Ultimately, the strategy’s success will not be measured in documents or plans, but in lives improved. As Special Secretary Muhammad Nadir Khan Rana emphasised, “The social protection strategy is not just a policy document; it is a roadmap to transform lives. Its true impact will be measured by how effectively it reaches those who need it most.”
Through this renewed vision, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is laying the foundation for a future where social protection becomes a shared promise, a guarantee that every citizen can live with dignity, resilience, and opportunity.
Farman Nawaz
November 2025