Resettlement and Displaced Communities Challenges and Prospects – A Case Study of M-4 Project from Gojra to Shorkot Section

Abstract

Development is crucial for the prosperity of any country. Infrastructural development plays a vital role in the socioeconomic development of the country. However, sometimes it causes development-induced displacement that results in trauma for displaced community and creates challenges for them. In this vein, the current paper aims to explore challenges and prospects of development-induced development of the M-4 project where in 3674 persons were affected from Gojra to Shorkot. A qualitative stance was adopted to account the actual experiences of the Projected Affected Persons (PAPs), whose families were displaced due to M-4 project. A total of twelve Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) were conducted. In which 93 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) participated. Thematic analysis was carried out to draw major themes. It was found that the affected families faced many social cultural and economic challenges while being displaced from their owned assets. The Project Affected Persons families became homeless and landholders became landless. Their source of livelihood vanished and they felt hard to change their means of livelihood. It is suggested that the government and other funding agencies should play their vibrant role in the diminution of the challenges they are still facing in bringing themselves back into mainstream society.