The programme design phase has been held back by a number of changes to the sector landscape in Pakistan. Significantly, the Ministry of Environment, which had responsibility for the sanitation sector, was dissolved in June 2011 by constitutional amendment. This amendment increases the authority of provincial and other local government structures for sanitation.
Since this significant change WSSCC has been in dialogue with the government and other sector actors about the way forward for the GSF in Pakistan. While it is envisaged that the GSF will focus on supporting selected local governments at the provincial level to develop and implement their sanitation strategies in the coming years, these have yet to be selected. WSSCC remains positive about the potential of a GSF programme to help the Government reach its sanitation goals. In early 2012, the GSF will identify the focus provinces and provide further support to those provincial governments to move ahead with finalizing the Country Programme Proposal for funding.
