| Summary: | The article discusses the Academy for Rural Development in Comilla, East Pakistan, led by Akhter Hameed Khan, and its pioneering socio-economic transformation efforts in rural East Pakistan, particularly in reshaping gender norms. The academy became a significant stop on the global development circuit, drawing notable visitors and gaining recognition for its rural reform efforts. The article situates the academy's work at the intersection of postcolonial governance and racialized Cold War geopolitics, highlighting the academy's developmental biopolitics and its impact on global development thought and practice. The academy's Family Planning Pilot Project aimed to reshape reproductive norms through innovative approaches, including utilizing indigenous traditions and Islamic teachings to promote family planning. The article also explores the challenges faced by the academy, including political tensions, environmental disasters, and resistance from local communities, shedding light on the complexities of development work in authoritarian contexts.
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