The IRP Community Development team organized a meeting between the Governor of Paktia and the elders of the three main districts of Paktia: Showak, Gerda Sere, and Woze Zadran. The meeting took place in the Governor's office on 5 August 2007 and was attended by over 30 people.

Governor Rahmatullah Rahmat explained the benefits of the USAID funded Gardez-Khost Road and asked the elders to help IRP with security during the project period. Such support is crucial to the project being able to run smoothly.

At the end of the meeting, the elders asked the Governor for time to discuss the issues with the local people of the area.

When they met again on 14 Aug 2007, the Governor of Paktia had requested the elders of Showak, Gerda Sere, and Zadran Woze to help the Government by joining with the police to secure the road from Gardez to Khost.

The Governor had asked each district to offer the Government the services of 50 people to protect their own villages during the survey of the Gardez-Khost Road.

The Governor promised the elders that according to the normal working terms and conditions of the Ministry of Interior, the new police force will be provided with training, weapons, and a monthly salary.

After long discussions, the elders agreed to offer the services of 30 people from each district. This offer was accepted by the Governor and he was told by the elders that the full list of 90 names from the three districts will be provided to him by the end of August.