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Knowledge Networking Pilots: Visit Report
Mansehra Village Support Project (MVSP), Pakistan. 15th to 21 August 1999
Summary and Action Points:
A. Selection of Mansehra Project: Pros and Cons
The Mansehra Project (MVSP) is a good candidate for a Knowledge Networking pilot. On the plus side:
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It is a multi-activity project that has accumulated a lot of diverse experience over the years.
Project management understands well the aims of ENRAP and is in full agreement with them. All
levels of the project agree they can benefit from sharing information and have something to offer.
Apart from the larger infrastructure actions, the Project is in effect implemented by an NGO (SRSC)
based in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), which also runs the four field sub-offices.
The main offices (both the Project Management Unit and the Regional SRSC office) in Mansehra
already have internet accounts, local call dial up access, at reasonable speeds and quality.
There is an ambitious and able ISP, Hazaranet, located about half an hour away in Abbottabad.
The Project has already completed qualitative descriptions of various actions and activities, that will
pave the way for identifying and documenting good practice.
The project tends to have an international perspective, and already has contact with at least one IFAD
Project, in Vietnam, where a previous MVSP staff member is Director.
On the negative side:
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It comes to an end in June 2000. However, it is very likely that by February 2001 a new Project, the
Barani Phase II Project, will begin, funded primarily by ADB but also with some IFAD involvement.
SRSC is very likely to have a continuing involvement in this.
Computer and IT equipment, with a couple of exceptions (i.e. in senior management offices), is not
good enough for effective Web use. Sub-offices have a phone line, no fax and 486 computers.
Connectivity in the three more remote sub-offices (one is in Mansehra) is not easily available,
requiring long-distance calls over poor quality lines.
B. The ENRAP Consultant in Mansehra.
Originally, it was planned to hire an external consultant and locate him/her in the Mansehra area,
providing the support and services through local agents. However, for reasons of availability, suitability
and especially the logistical problems of providing an independent researcher with services in Mansehra,
we instead decided to conclude a contract with SRSC, under which the ENRAP consultant will be
employed (reporting directly to ENRAP).
SRSC (Sarhad Rural Support Corporation) is the NGO in Mansehra that holds the contract for the
implementation of all but the largest infrastructure actions of the MVSP. The Project is managed and
overseen by the Project Management Unit (PMU) from a separate office in Mansehra, but SRSC
implements the social organisations, human resources, village infrastructure and other ‘soft’ elements. Its
regional office is an Mansehra town, and it supports four Social Organising Units (SOUs), or field offices,
one of which is also in Mansehra town.
A suitable candidate has been selected but the precise details of his availability, and possible
supplementation with another, are currently being worked out.
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In the contract with SRSC, we discussed the following:
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Three to four months’ researcher time before the end of 1999.
Continuing support for ENRAP until end June 2000, comprising part-time researcher time.
Senior level management advice and support.
Office space and administrative support for the ENRAP researcher.
Transport, as required by the ENRAP researcher.
The use of a phone, as required for voice and internet use, including rental and usage charges.
Pentium computer and modem, and separate e-mail account and address.
Under the contract, SRSC agreed provisionally that a minimum total of 4,000 USD would cover the
above. However, we would have to work on the details.
In addition, we agreed that ENRAP may provide equipment to the MVSP, for use in relation to ENRAP.
This may include a digital camera with zoom lens, a colour printer, a laptop computer, modems, or other
small items of equipment, software or related expenses. The precise requirements will be determined in
consultation with the MVSP project, and discussion with Zbig.
I explained that any equipment provided, or purchased under the contract would revert to the MVSP, after
its initial use by ENRAP Knowledge Networking. After completion of MVSP, it would be used for
future ENRAP activity in the Mansehra area, for instance under the Barani Phase II Project or by another
IFAD-funded Projects.
C. Connectivity and Internet:
As mentioned, the PMU and SRSC Regional office are connected to Hazaranet at local call rates.
Hazaranet charges are not excessive. They have full web access. While it is currently quite slow, it is
expected to improve dramatically soon, as they are soon getting a direct VSAT link, by passing the
telecoms operator.
There are four Sub Regional Offices (SOUs), none with internet access. One is in Mansehra town itself,
and so could get local call access. It is equipped with a fax and phone, but the computer is a sub-Pentium.
The other three SOUs are based about one to one and a half hour’s drive away. All three are equipped
with sub-Pentiums (486’s), and have a phone line. The quality is not great: there is noise and it breaks
down occasionally. It is a long distance call to Mansehra, and to Abbottabad (location of ISP). They also
do not use a fax.
Everyone was keen on the idea of internet for sharing and exchanging. All have at least basic
understanding of what the internet can do - it’s the coming thing - but only the top management in the
PMU and SRSC Regional office can use it - these largely through their own efforts and initiative. They
are very keen to get training. They would also be very interested in developing a Web site.
D. Applications Pilot
I briefed all levels on the idea of a Local Applications, but as we have no plans for a pilot in the area, I
made no specific commitment. However, the existence of a local internet provider, at least for Mansehra
town, is relevant. There are also quite a number of NGOs operating in the area that would probably have
an interest. There is no local radio, only government national radio.
We should explore this in more depth, under the researcher contract, especially in relation to Barani Phase
II Project.
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E. Immediate Actions:
1. Sean, Zbig and Don: Finalise Terms of Reference, consulting with MVSP and ENRAP team.
2. Zbig: Draw up and agree contract. Researcher to begin as soon as possible.
3. Zbig to visit Mansehra, to assess connectivity and provide/arrange support (end october).
F. Key Contacts for ENRAP
The ENRAP liaison with MVSP as a whole, is
Zahid ur Rehman,
Acting Programme Director,
Mansehra Village Support Programme,
Government of NWFP, PE&D Dept.
DAB No. 2 Sharah-E-Resham
Mansehra.
Tel: +92 987 37345 or 38957
Fax: +92 987 38957
e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Afzal Latif, Project Director, is also available but spends most time in Peshawar putting together the new
Barain Phase II Project. His additional numbers are: Peshawar office: +92 91 9210267/268, +92 91
9210291 Cellular: +92 351 771 0964.
Within SRSC, our point of contact is:
Sahibzada Shoaib,
Regional Programme Officer,
Sarhad Rural Support Corporation
Ghulum Ghaus Hazarvi Road, Mansehra, NWFP.
Tel: +92 987 37274
Fax: +92 992 4381
e-mail: [email protected]
Deputising for hum when he away is: Azhar Hussain, Senior Engineer, who is familiar with ENRAP.
Our proposed researcher is: Zarak Saleem Jan (family phone in Peshawar: +92 91 845 195)
Hazaranet: ISP
Muhammad Rahat Ullah, Chief Executive
Aamir Inrahim Khan, Chief Technical Person
Flat 18 Cantonment Plaza, Abbottabad, NWFP
Tel: +92 992 32674/34457/30346
Fax: +92 992 30918
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.hazaranet.net.pk/Hazaranet/
Gary Holm,
He is part of the team designing this new Project a follow on and expansion of the MVSP.
NWFP Barani Area Development Phase II (PPTA)
Barani Office, 2nd Florr SDU Building
Peshawar.
Tel: +92 1 921 1266
Fax: (none given)
e-mail: [email protected]
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Detailed Meeting notes and Itinerary :
(about 110 digital photographs were taken during this visit and given to the Projects)
Sunday August 15th. Islamabad. Meeting: Suzanne Smith Saulniers, Assistant Representative,
Asia Foundation ([email protected]), Nazir Ahmad Malik, Potential researcher
([email protected]).
Suzanne Smith Saulniers was assisting to locate a local researcher. Nazir Malik was suggested as a
candidate. He is appropriately skilled and highly experienced in the field at all levels. However, his
availability is limited, so we thought we might use him only a back up, if the need arose.
Monday August 15th.
Islamabad. Meeting. Aroona Kamal, Potential Researcher ([email protected]).
Also considered as a candidate for the work. She is a highly experienced consultant with a impressive
CV. We discussed a daily rate, and hers is relatively high (200 to 250 USD). This would mean very
limited time, and expenses would push the cost beyond our budget. In addition, I felt that more fieldlevel work, cooperating closely with Project staff, would be needed, as distinct from consultancy .
Islamabad. Meeting. Suzanne Saulniers; and David George, Programme Intern/Secretary, Asia
Foundation.
David is assistant to Suzanne, and provided me with relevant material from a conference he was attending
on IT in Pakistan.
Islamabad: Afzal Latif ([email protected] and [email protected]), Project
Director, MVSP.
Afzal was passing through Islamabad so we had a first meeting. I briefed him, and he indicated my prime
contacts in Mansehra. He also expressed full support for ENRAP, including knowledge networking
within and outside Pakistan. He mentioned that a previous MVSP manager was now managing an IFADfunded project in Vietnam – Malik Rab Nawaz. He already was in e-mail contact. He would also like to
move to e-mail for contacts with UN OPS and IFAD.
Although the MVSP ends in June 2000, the Barani Phase II Project is expected to start up by
January/February 2001. This will in effect be a continuation of the MVSP (extended to a greater area).
The ADB will put in about 50m USD and IFAD is expected to add in about 15m.
Travel to Mansehra (about 4 hours by car.)
Project Management Unit, Mansehra: Meeting, Zahid ur Rehman, Acting Programme Director,
MVSP ([email protected]), Sahibzada Shoaib, Regional Programme Officer, SRSC
(([email protected]).
As Afzal has several other major responsibilities (including preparing the Barani Phase II follow up
project), Zahid is in effect the acting Project Director much of the time. He will be the point of contact
for ENRAP, within the PMU.
The MSU has a number of computers, but only one relatively new Pentium, connected to the internet.
Hazaranet is the ISP, based nearby on Abbottabad, with local call access and full Web services.
However, the MVSP has contracted the Sarhad Rural Support Corporation (SRSC) to implement all but
the larger infrastructure projects (which are implemented through the Project Management Unit). The
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SRSC has its regional office in Mansehra, along with the staff members working on MVSP. In general,
the SRSC includes all the social mobilisation work, organising the PPIs (small village implementation
project, selected and implemented locally), the various agricultural and human resource development, and
so forth. Sahibzada manages this work, and so is also a central contact for knowledge networking
activities.
While larger infrastructure projects may yield lessons and knowledge of interest, they do not have much
participation from beneficiaries and tend to comprise conventional civil engineering work. Thus, SRSC
implemented activities will form the main focus for knowledge networking activities. However, the PMU
will also be considered from the point of view of management and monitoring contacts with UN OPS and
IFAD.
MVSP also involves seven government line agencies, coordinated by PMU or SRSC, depending on the
activity.
Both Zahid and Sahibzada expressed strong interest in ENRAP, and agreed to provide all possible
assistance and support to the ENRAP researcher.
Tuesday August 16th
SRSC Office. Ghulum Ghaus Hazarvi Road, Mansehra.
Continuing meetings at SRSC Office: Azhar Hussain, Senior Engineer; Mohammad Karim,
Senior Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Officer, as well as with Shoaib and Zahid .
The SRSC Offices has seven computers. Shoaib’s is the best (330 mgz Pentium, 64 MB RAM, Win 95,
CD Rom, modem etc.,) and is the only one connected to internet – it is his own, not the Project’s. Two of
the others are 133 mgz Pentiums, 16 MB RAM, Windows 95, but have no CD Rom drive or modems.
For the MVSP work, there are four SRSC sub offices, called Social Organisor Units (SOU). One in
Mansehra (in a separate office), one in Oghi (about 1 hour by car), one in Balakut (over two hours away),
and one in Batagram (over 1 hour). Each of these has two male and two female social organisers who
work with the villagers to form Community Organisations (COs) and Womens Organisations (WO). In
total, about 800 have been formed. These are the basic units for planning and implementing development
actions, and also have an engineer and surveyor to assist in the village infrastructure projects.
There are a couple of NGOs in Mansehra District.
 Plan International, concerned especially with child nutrition;
 Sungi Foundation, an advocacy group, including women’s rights and environment and forestry issues;
 Aurat Association (the Urdu word for women) which is a small women’s support group.
Shoaib also agreed that perhaps we could have one or two people associated with our researcher, to
ensure continuity after the research period ends.
I also met and briefed Shagufta Jeelani, Assistant Planning, Monitoring Evaluation and Research
Officer, and Uzua Hashim, Gender Monitoring Officer.
Shagufta explained that they do undertake
some small qualitative studies (copies supplied) in which lessons and drawn and recommendations made.
These are analysed for policy implications at SRSC head office, in Pehsawar (administrative capital of
Norther West Frontier Province).
Field Visit to PI: Kumar Nakka PPI (in Mansehra SOU area), accompanied by Azhar Hussain.
This was a small road, about 4 kms in length, unpaved but hard surface, and level and wide enough for
vehicles. It was selected by the local WO, and passes a few dozen farms over very mountainous and
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rough terrain. Previously, the only means of transport was by foot. The road will now enable small
vehicles (cars, 4 wheel drives), animals and carts etc. to go up. A Project Committee is formed
comprising 5 people (2 from the women’s group) to oversee the work. The Project provides the
surveying and engineering work, and a bulldozers and other equipment is contracted where needed.
However, all the labour is undertaken by the villagers, who are paid but also expected to contribute
maybe 5 to 15% for free. After completion, the villagers must maintain the road entirely from their own
resources.
The land over which the road travels is mostly owned by landlord, often living elsewhere. Their
permission must be sought. With a refusal, the project simply does not go ahead. In a recent case there
was initially refusal, but the villagers approached the landlord and persuaded him. Land Reform has not
been fully implemented and many farmers own virtually no land.
We met an older man, who told us that before the road (which is not yet complete) everything had to be
carried to the village. When illness struck a villager, he said, the person was carried the entire journey to
the village.
Meeting: SRSC Regional Office, Hazaranet staff: Aamir Ibrahim Khan (technical leader), Kamran
Anwar (Manager Custoner Support.
These travelled to Mansehra from Abbottabad to discuss ENRAP. Hazarnet was formed about a year ago
and has a 2 megbit line with Pakistan Telecom. They will very soon have a satellite connection (VSAT)
to US internet backbone facilitated buy the US company for whom they will also provide service. They
are the only ISP with local call dial up. Before that, several of them were working for NGO and
development projects, including providing internet services. They currently work with several NGO in
the Province.
Local call connectivity with the three outlying SOUs will not be available for some time, as they depend
on Pakistan Telecom. However, they could provide a service via satellite (dish, L&B, cable, decoder for
incoming data, router etc.) Costs would have to be discussed with their overall manager. They provide
full training, web development and other services and are keen to extend their business.
An e-mail account for our researcher for four months would cost 7,200 rupees (about 140 USD) all in for
3 months (telecom costs are additional but local calls are unmetered).
They are very keen to get involved, and see future potential in it. They are aware that our needs, at most,
are likely to be for some local training and support, but I promised to advise Zbig to visit them when he
comes.
Wednesday August 19th
Visit to Social Organiser Unit (SOU): Mansehra.
Taimur Saleem, Senior Social Organiser (manages SOU), Taufiq Irtaja, Social Organiser, Zahid
Rauf, Civil Engineer), Sadaqat Ali, Social Organiser; and Jacid, Social Organiser.
The SOU is effectively the Field Office, from which the work is implemented. One is in Mansehra town
itself. I briefed the people present, and found a high level of interest and willingness to share with other
Projects. They have a fax in this office, but an old computer (486?). However, these could have an
internet access at local call rates, since they are in Mansehra town.
Visit to Social Organiser Unit (SOU): Oghi
Khan Ghalib, Senior Social Organiser (in charge of SOU); Moa’zam Shehzad, Surveyor; Nisar
Ahmed, Engineer; Niazal, Social Mobiliser (Kala Dhalla area)
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The Oghi area covers some tribal areas, which have relative autonomy in relation to governance and law.
The MVSP does not undertake the Community Organisation and Women’s Organisation work here, as
they have a stable system of governance and community councils.
With regard to other areas, the full range of activities are undertaken.
Taimur mentioned that once every three months they bring together all Social Mobilisers and Activists
(i.e. volunteer villagers with an active role for MVSP in the village) to a Managers Conference. Up to
150 men and 100 women in separate meetings. Depending on the agenda, these often break up into
smaller group meetings, reconvening into plenaries. They are intended as a means to share experience,
and involve some informal training also. This might be relevant to Knowledge Networking.
Field Visit to Village Infrastructure Project
We undertook a second field trip, also a road project, about twenty minutes drive into the mountains near
Oghi. This is a very mountainous area, again hitherto accessible only by foot. We visited a farmer, and
met with the family of a man, grandfather, and extended family members (all male). Although the land is
very steep and varied, it is not bad land and the farm covers 4 hectares of arable land.
The farmer said that the road enables the use of farm machinery, including a tractor; to bring produce into
the market (milk, for the first time, as well as much increased quantities of wheat and maize. He says that
only 0.5 of a hectare could be farmed before, but that now the entire 4 hectares is farmed. Output has
increased almost tenfold. ‘We are Kings’ he says. He is building a large extension to the house for the
five sons. He expects three will stay with the farm and two move. He has two daughters.
They grow maize and wheat, for the local Oghi market as well, and various fruit and vegetables for own
consumption. They also have cattle and dairy cows. He has electricity and running water (a group well)
for the past tern years.
These would not now be classed as poor farmers (it would be expected locally that visitors to the area
would be brought to the better off farm of a community elder), and many of the benefits can be attributed
to the road. The road is the only activity funded by MVSP in this village.
Further meeting in SRSA Regional Office and PMU.
I downloaded all photos taken (about 110) to their computers.
Final extended meeting with Shoaib, Zahid ur Rehman and others.
Here we discussed the options available to us, including the researchers, the logistics etc. Although
SRSC was happy to provide office and phone etc. to the extent possible with us paying the additional
cost, transport would be an issue. I felt that ready access to the field was necessary and we could to
expect the Project to provide this. Accommodation would also have to be arranged. A few days in the
government guest house there (Circuit House, where I stayed) was possible, longer term would need
something else.
Shoaib then suggested another option altogether. SRSA could possibly itself provide a qualified and able
staff member, who would otherwise have to leave after contract completion soon. This researcher, Zarak
Saleem Jan, would be devoted full time to ENRAP for a few months, and thereafter for a period could
support ENRAP activities. We discussed all the factors. I agreed that this was a good route to explore
further, and agreed to meet Zarak in Peshawar. Is terms of budget it would be cost effective, and would
allow facilitate available for the equipment and other needs. Transport, office and phone could be
included. The contract would be directly with SRSC, and possibly a minim of 4,000 USD would cover it.
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Abbotabad: Hazaranet . Muhammad Rahat Ullah, Chief Executive.
Muhammad had requested to meet me, and had come to Mansehra but missed me. So I called in on the
way to Peshawar.
He emphasised the capabilities of the company, and is keen to undertake any work. We discussed all
their services and I advised that Zbig was the person to talk to.
Trip to Peshawar. About 4. 5 hours by car.
Thursday - Friday 19th August.
Meeting with Zarak Saleem Jan, Monitoring, Evaluation and Resarch Unit, SRSC, Mansehra.
Zarak works with SRSC in Mansehra, and would be keen to work with ENRAP. However, he has
recently been offered a job with Swiss Development Corporation. He would be keen however to combine
the two if possible.
His contract will conclude with SRSC in December, but he has just recently been offered quite a senior
job with the Swiss Development Agency also in the Mansehra Region (he was recommended by Shoaib,
who did not know he was to be offered the job). But he would be keen to work on ENRAP. We agreed
to see whether he could start the other job later and or combine the two jobs for a period.
He has a Masters in Development from Cambridge university in the UK, and has just ten months
experience in Mansehra. He is familiar with internet use, although not in anything more sophisticated
such as Web construction.
I met him at several points on Thursday and Friday, and briefed him extensively.
Meeting Tariq Mahmood, Potential ENRAP Researcher ([email protected]).
I briefed him on ENRAP. He is an experienced field worker and recommended by Suzanne. He could be
a candidate for researcher, as the other two were not suitable, but I explained the possibility of an SRSC
person being employed.
I was impressed by his obvious commitment to really working closely and for the benefits of local
villagers, and his general energy and ideas.
Meetingt Afzal Latif, Special Development Unit.
Afzal has an office here as well as Mansehra. I introduced Tariq to him, and briefed him on Mansehra
visit. He again reiterated his full support and assistance. He suggested I meet with Gary Hold, from a
Canadian company AgroDev, that had been contracted to put together with plan for the new Project after
the MVSP.
Meeting with Gary Holm,
([email protected]).
NWFP
Barani
Area
Development
Phase
II
(PPTA)
Gary is an expert from Agrodev (based in Ottawa) and is working in Pakistan till February 2000 helping
to design the Barani Project (which includes Mansehra). This project could be very important in the
context of ‘mainstreaming’ ENRAP. I suggested and he agreed that our research should meet with him,
to see about designing in ENRAP needs.
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