ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has proposed establishing a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Support Unit funded entirely by the national exchequer, allocating Rs437.3 million with no financial contribution from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), according to a report by The News.
Past Performance Under Scrutiny
The proposal has sparked questions about the effectiveness of the original SDGs Support Unit, established in 2016 with a five-year budget of Rs1 billion. Under the initial agreement, the federal government was to contribute Rs500 million, with the UNDP matching that amount on a cost-sharing basis.
However, actual contributions fell short. The government provided Rs430 million over five years, while the entire UN system contributed Rs221 million. This meant the federal government’s share amounted to 66.2% against the UN’s 33.8%.
Historical Tensions with UNDP
The relationship between the Planning Commission and UNDP was marked by friction. Sources indicate the UNDP did not keep the Planning Commission informed about spending decisions, drawing objections from former Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz. Official records document his concerns about the arrangement.
In response, the Planning Commission decided in 2022 to fund the SDGs Support Unit independently, initiating recruitment for a new unit. However, the program stalled following the devastating floods of 2022 and a change in government.
A Reversal of Policy
Pakistan was unique globally in having handed over administration of SDGs to the UNDP in 2016. Now, in 2026, the government has reversed course. The planning minister has decided to return management to the UNDP, but with a critical difference: the new project, estimated at Rs437.256 million, will receive no UNDP funding.
Critics warn that without UNDP financial involvement, there will be minimal oversight. Concerns have been raised that funds could be diverted to perks and privileges for existing staff, including travel allowances and other expenses unrelated to achieving SDG targets.
Project Details and Objectives
According to the concept paper prepared for project approval, the SDGs section will function as an SDGs Secretariat and international focal point. The project aims to improve institutional structures for horizontal and vertical coordination, enhance data collection and reporting, conduct advocacy campaigns, establish oversight mechanisms, and build capacity.
Plans also include establishing an SDGs research and resource centre to provide policy support through think tanks and academia. A dashboard will be created to map research objectives with specific SDG targets and action points.
The SDGs Support and Research Lab project is intended to integrate government measures to reduce poverty and inequality while accelerating economic growth and development. It also aims to incorporate human development and environmental protection into economic policies.
Future Ambitions
The project seeks to support evidence-based policymaking, accelerate SDG implementation, and serve as a knowledge hub for best practices. It proposes exploring additional SDG indicators from administrative data by strengthening information collation from various government departments.
Officials say the initiative builds on previous work and aims to create a pragmatic action plan for the next eight years, though questions remain about accountability and effectiveness given the lack of external funding and oversight.
