The aim of Italian ODA in Pakistan is to contribute to the development of peace and stability in the country by reducing income inequality and making the Community vulnerable to natural disasters. In this regard, Italian cooperation focuses its socio-economic support on the country`s rural communities. Eligible projects must build on the strategic priorities contained in the National Development and Integration Strategy, updated and cross-cutting sector and cross-cutting strategies and the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (ASA) and the following priority sectors: education, vocational training, public health, social inclusion, job creation , sustainable development of the area from a long-term perspective to support job creation, including in rural areas of the country. 1. Justification and General Framework for Development Cooperation in Pakistan The alignment of the overall objectives of the programme with national development priorities, expressed in Pakistan`s development strategy documents, is illustrated by the debt exchange programme between Pakistan and Italy, in which local authorities approve a comprehensive strategic plan approved by the programme management committee. The level of ownership of Italy`s cooperation initiatives in Pakistan is very high: humanitarian initiatives are implemented in response to urgent calls from the Pakistani authorities and the UN system. Investments made on the basis of the current borrowing agreement are identified with federal and provincial authorities, managed by a bilateral steering committee after project approval and evaluated by a technical assistance unit jointly managed by the two countries under the old co-direction formula. Interest rates are mainly supported through co-financing through multi-year initiatives of the Pakistani government. One of the common characteristics of most Italian companies is the integration of an NGO dimension as a proposal and implementation of projects financed under debt swap programmes, while Italian international NGOs can present their proposals and contribute to planned activities under different institutional umbrellas.
The principle of local ownership also reflects Italy`s partnership programmes and its contribution to the World Bank`s Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Border Areas (MDTF). 4) the general objectives of Italy`s development cooperation in the country; sharing with local partners and their coherence in the overall framework of international development and international development goals. The second component, primarily funded by two projects, focuses on rural development. Among the two main projects covered by the interest rate loan system and harmonized as parallel financing with multi-donation programmes managed by the CWB and an integrated approach are: despite an ongoing monthly consultation mechanism between European partners, the division of labour is lacking with a high degree of coordination. In addition, to date, there has been no structured group of aid agencies that have coordinated with regional development banks and the United Nations Development Programme, while a single coordination programme, designed by the friends of democratic Pakistan and the D-10 group. The Federal Department of Economics is the coordinating unit of the government. At Pakistan`s request, a network of universities is being considered to promote and carry out exchanges between Italy and Pakistan in areas of priority interest for the two countries.