AKRSP will reduce itself and create room for LSOs to grow
Karokoram Knowledge Highways(KKH) interview with Izhar Hunzai, General Manager, AKRSP Gilglit Pakistan.
KKH: Please give us some information about AKRSP? When and why it was formed and what are its main objectives?
IH: AKRSP was a new experiment in the long history of His Highness’s attention to this area. Many experts have commented on AKRSP’s innovative design and its approach, but let me give you a personal account, because it doesn’t stop fascinating me even after 17 years of my association with it. Before AKRSP, the Imamat Institutions working in this area were voluntary Boards, delivering basic and useful services. In creating AKRSP, His Highness foresaw a paradigm shift. The traditional systems which created and managed public goods were in decline, the government systems were distant and inadequate, and the isolation of the area was coming to an end with the construction of the KKH. His Highness combined a number of innovations in the newly created AKRSP. First, it was meant to be a professional set up, led by world class experts as management and Board of Directors selected on merit; second, it was registered under the Companies Act, not under the Social Welfare Law, which was a common practice at that time for AK institutions. An amazing decision and one that provided room for innovation and ensured highest management and governance standards. Fourth, it was meant to be an inclusive organization working with all the communities in the Northern Areas and Chitral. Fifth, His Highness gave AKRSP a very specific and clear mandate: a) double the per capita income, b) develop a replicable model and, c) create sustainable local institutional mechanisms.
His Highness then gave the first General Manager of AKRSP full authority, flexible and generous resources, including a helicopter, and the assurance of his long-term support.
Complete interview: http://www.kkh-journal.org/issue2/pdf/GM%20AKRSP.pdf
Ismailimail 
Ya Ali Madad
Congratulations Mr. Hunzai for the excellent work.
I am the person who was the School Head when AKS Gwadar completed 100 years way back in Jan 2005. I have been following the efforts of AKRSP especially with the VSAT project in INDIA.
Myself being associated with a similar project in Pakistan would feel very proud and privileged if AKRSP Pakistan would develop similar project for Pakistan.
At my and my organisations end would be be happy to provide the technology and operational support to make this project a reality in Pakistan.
Till then take care keep smiling and have a wonderful weekend.
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Izhar has a very long and dedicated association with AKRSP since its inception in the early 80’s. When I joined AKF (P), Islamabad, he was in the MER section of AKRSP under the able leadership of Shoaib Sultan Khan the then GM of AKRSP. We flew the length and breath of NA’s and Chitral in AKF helicopters. I am witness to obeserving Izhar literally burning midnight oil completing various reports for the donor agencies and the Board during the cold and damp nights of Gilgit.
Well done, Izhar.
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Interesting read. I’ve been following AKRSP efforts since the 1980’s. I still have the 2 documentaries (VHS) on AKRSP’s approach, that I watched as a school-going child. Those videos left an imprint on my soul and have guided my work in the development sector. I have always wanted to visit these projects and even work with the teams there. Izhar sahib used to visit the apartment house we used to live in back in the 80’s. Wish I had known that he was with AKRS,P! I would love to meet with him and discuss how we can work to achieve our common goals for sustainable development.
Malik sahib, if you are still in touch with him, give him my warmest regards and do convey my immense appreciation for AKRSP’s work.
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well done…………
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