FOREIGN AID, INTERNATIONAL AGENDAS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION

Abstract

Community development is one of the core concepts and primary methods of Social Work which is being practiced in Pakistan through various governmental and non-governmental organizations. But in nature the concept is vague and influenced by multiple factors including human elements, economic constraints and socio-political circumstances. Among which, foreign aid and international agendas constitute one of the most dominant factors within the local context of Pakistan. That is why, the study aimed at analyzing their impact on the concept of community development and employed ethnographic research design for the purpose. The qualitative data was collected through purposive sampling technique and thematic analysis was carried out which demonstrated a profound influence of foreign aid on country’s policies via conditionality and technical assistance and an imported type of development being carried out in the country. Therefore, the need was emphasized to adopt a holistic approach of stakeholders’ engagement to strengthen local structures and to coordinate development efforts with local aspirations.