The Aga Khan Rural Support Program in Pakistan: An Interim Evaluation

An independent mid-term evaluation conducted by the World Bank’s Operations Evaluation Department (OED) assessing the early performance of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) in Pakistan’s Northern Areas. The report reviews institutional development through Village Organizations (VOs), implementation of productive physical infrastructure, savings and credit systems, and agricultural and livelihood interventions. It highlights AKRSP’s innovative community-driven development model, strong institutional focus, and early successes, while identifying key challenges related to production systems, sustainability, and scalability. The evaluation provides strategic recommendations for strengthening program design, including integrating infrastructure, production, and marketing systems and enhancing women’s participation.