ISLAMABAD (PR) - The ground breaking ceremony of a Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and Shell Pakistan supported model village, to be reconstructed anew at the estimated cost of Rs 35 million in two years time on the outskirts of Karachi was performed here the other day. During a press briefing, PPAF Chief Operating Officer, Kamran Akbar, shared details of the project with media persons. Senior officials of Shell Pakistan and PPAF implementing partner namely Health and Nutrition Development Authority (HANDS) were also present. Both the PPAF and Shell Pakistan have signed an agreement to provide basic housing, infrastructure, health, education, potable water, latrines, bridges/culverts and sanitation facilities in one of the most neglected areas namely Goth Noor Muhammad, which is situated in the periphery of Karachi, says a press release issued here the other day. As per the agreement, PPAF would socially mobilise the local communities, besides providing technical assistance for sub-projects formulation and periodic monitoring along with technical representatives of Shell Pakistan. Located approximately 25-kilometer away from Karachi, near solid waste dumping site, Goth Noor Muhammad, presenting a wonderful example of inter-faith harmony with 70 percent Hindus and 30 percent Muslims, was a small hamlet comprising about 100 households. Having no access to potable water and other basic necessities of life, the men, women and children of the Goth were living in terrible unhygienic conditions and eke out their living by sifting the Karachi citys garbage. PPAF and Shell Pakistan have entered into a public-private partnership to transform Goth Noor Muhammad into a self-sustainable and integrated village development project. The integrated development programme is aimed at improving living conditions of the residents through provisioning of better housing, healthcare and educational facilities. The reconstruction of houses would be supported through the usage of indigenous technology, materials and energy efficiency. Streets would be paved and proper sewerage and rainwater drainage system would be laid down. The village infrastructure would be further improved with the provisioning of electricity and with the addition of greenbelts and streetlights. The educational facilities would be available not only to the children but to the adults as well. The proposed school would also serve as a recreational spot for the community with special emphasis on sports. The PPAF is the lead apex institution, for community-driven development in the country, and the largest source of pro-poor spending outside Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and the Federal budget.