Introduction

Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP) is a not-for-profit organization, which is committed to promote development & humanitarian objectives in Pakistan.

It is governed by an independent board, which makes sure that it works in a non-partisan manner and contributes to the development of all disadvantaged communities without any discrimination on religious or political considerations.

It is registered under the Societies Act 1860. Certified by Pakistan Center for Philanthropy, LPP manages a diverse range of programs and partnerships, and is widely recognized as one of the leading NGOs in the community development sector in Pakistan.

Our Vision
A just society where people are empowered to lead the development process with respect & dignity.

Our Mission
Lodhran Pilot Project strives to empower communities and individuals to achieve sustainable development goals through innovative, transparent, accountable and inclusive processes.

Our Values

  • Transparency & Accountability
  • Mutual respect
  • Team work
  • Inclusion
  • Participatory approach
  • Learning culture
  • Professionalism

History

Success stories are sometimes associated with one person but that is seldom the whole truth. This project happened because some of the finest individuals in Pakistan got together to work on it and succeeded in persuading the people and the government that there was a better way of doing things. This way of making things work was discovered through years of research and application in the Katchi Abadis of the country, and then adapted to Lodhran, after further research, in view of what prevailed there. But the reason this experience came to Lodhran, and not just another place, is that Lodhran had a campaigner, namely Jahangir Khan Tareen, who brought the experience and the people concerned to Lodhran. He and those who have worked with him closely at the LPP are introduced below.

Meet the Pioneers

Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan

Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan was born on 15 July 1914 in Agra (British India). He completed his early education in India and graduated from the Meerut College in 1932. He studied literature, history and philosophy for his graduation. Dr. Khan continued his studies and was awarded a Master of Arts in English Literature from the Agra University in 1934. He worked as a lecturer at the Meerut College before joining the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in 1936. In 1950, Dr. Khan migrated to Pakistan to teach at the Islamia College, Karachi. In the same year, he was invited by the Government of Pakistan to take charge as Principal of the Comilla Victoria College in East Pakistan, a position he held until 1958. During this time (1950–58), he also served as President of the East Pakistan Non-Government Teachers’ Association.

In 1980, Dr. Khan moved to Karachi and started working for the improvement of sanitary conditions in suburban areas of the city. He laid the foundations of the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) for the largest squatter community of Orangi in the city. He continued to work for rural communities around Karachi, and also helped to develop the Agha Khan Rural Support programme. Over time, OPP became a model for participatory bottom-up development initiatives.

In view of his meritorious services, Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan received the following civil awards:

• Jinnah Award (Posthumous, 2004) for services to people as founder of the Orangi Pilot Project.
• Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Posthumous, 2001) for services to the community.
• Ramon Magsaysay Award (31 August 1963, Manila, Philippines) for services to rural development.
• Sitara-e-Pakistan (1961) for pioneering work in rural development.

Under the guidance of Dr. Khan, the sanitation efforts of the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP), through community mobilization, paved the way to enhance social development, especially in terms of community owned sanitation. Later, Dr. Khan deputed Mr. Hafeez Arain to replicate OPP model of community owned rural sanitation. It is in this context that, under the leadership of Mr. Jahangir Khan Tareen, the Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP) was conceived and initiated in 1999. Over the years, LPP has grown into a well-established brand, which focuses on rural sanitation in southern Punjab.
It may be noted that the LPP model was presented during Third SACOSAN held at New Dehli in November 2008 and was widely appreciated by participants from all the South Asian countries.

Mr. Hafeez Arain

Mr. Hafeez Arain laid the foundation of the Lodhran Pilot Project on 23rd March 1999 with the dynamic support of Mr. Jahangir Khan Tareen. Over time, LPP extended its operations into the rural areas of Southern Punjab and hence became the pioneer in introducing OPP’s component sharing model in the rural areas of Pakistan.

In its early days, LPP had started its interventions on OPP’s component sharing model in urban areas of Lodhran & Rahimyar Khan districts, which were later replicated in Lodhran. LPP is now a well-established brand and is widely recognized and consulted for its expertise with respect to its low-cost sanitation model. LPP management and people of the area continue to remember Mr. Hafeez Arain for his leading role in setting up the LPP. His valuable contributions are widely acknowledged and will never be forgotten.

Complaint Response Mechanism (CRM)

LPP is committed to empower communities. LPP considers that complaint response mechanism is a good participatory monitoring tool. This tool is instrumental to ensure quality and accountability. LPP has CRM policy and it will be implemented in true letter and spirit.

About the Founder

Jahangir Khan Tareen

Mr. Jahangir Khan Tareen

The way I came to think of establishing a not-for-profit organization to serve the people, the have-not particularly of Lodhran and South Punjab, is a memorable feeling. In 1997, when I was appointed to play an influential role as the minister for agriculture of Punjab, I started realizing the grave problem of the widening disparity between socially and economically advantaged and disadvantaged sections of society. Because of the absence of a strong social protection system, this vulnerable and underprivileged section suffer from structural discrimination. I had a clear ambition: first step to improve people’s access to basic services to alleviate poverty, working towards increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of services, and empower the poor to become agents of their own development.