The Lahore metropolitan suburbs are teeming with all sorts of issues ranging from absence of community physical infrastructure to lack of access to rights. Communities are left to their fate, totally ignored by the state authorities. Nobody bothers about their issues regarding basic amenities like health, education, water and sanitation. Issues of access to fundamental rights of these poor communities usually find no place on the Government priority list.

In 2006 WWHL in collaboration with Actionaid, Pakistan launched a community development program “DA-31, Lahore” in selected areas, including Shahdara, Badami Bagh and Kot Lakhpat, with high concentration of poverty and state negligence. The purpose of this program is to address basic issues related to rights and services in the poor communities of Lahore suburb. A consolidated and holistic approach is key methodology to address the issues and problems of the communities in program area.

Community needs regarding women, labor, youth and children have been identified and assessed during various visits of three union councils of Development Areas. Through the participation of women, teachers, children, students, youth, and workers in different program initiatives will create and enhance their political consciousness and ultimately help them organize to assert their fundamental rights.