COMMUNITY-BASED NGO INTERVENTIONS AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study examines the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in poverty alleviation in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, through an in-depth qualitative analysis of two prominent organisations: the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) and the Karakoram Area Development Organisation (KADO). Using purposive sampling, data were collected through 22 semi-structured interviews with NGO employees, beneficiaries, and families of persons with disabilities associated with NGO-supported programs. The findings reveal that both organisations play a significant role in reducing poverty through multidimensional interventions, including vocational training, women’s empowerment, digital skills development, entrepreneurship support, microfinance, community-based savings groups, and agricultural support initiatives. These programs have contributed to improved household incomes, enhanced social inclusion, greater access to education and healthcare, and increased self-reliance among marginalised populations. KADO’s focus on persons with disabilities, women’s handicrafts, and digital entrepreneurship, alongside AKRSP’s initiatives in community mobilisation, business incubation, skill development, and rural infrastructure, demonstrates how localised, community-driven development models can effectively address poverty in geographically marginalised regions. The study highlights the importance of sustainable, participatory, and context-specific NGO interventions in complementing state-led poverty reduction strategies. The findings provide valuable policy insights for development practitioners, governments, and NGOs seeking effective poverty alleviation models in remote and underserved regions.