Funding to support a modern piped water system that will help reduce water waste and support employment
Additional financing of $48 million has been approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Pakistan. The bank launched the Balochistan Water Resources Development Project earlier this month, combining new infrastructure with technology to support climate-smart and data-driven water governance.
The additional funds will be spent on the Balochistan water supply project, said a statement issued by the ADB. The project, which also includes co-financing from the Japan Poverty Alleviation Fund and the High Technology Fund, aims to introduce a modern piped water supply system, which will significantly reduce water waste.
Read: Balochistan turns to technology for water security
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest and driest province, with 75% of the population living in rural areas and relying on agriculture. Two-thirds of its economy depends on this sector, and 60% of the province is associated with it.
Severe water shortage, groundwater depletion, erratic rainfall and climatic stresses have put pressure on the sector, threatening livelihoods.
The additional funding will improve water availability, supplying 1,839 hectares of rainfed land. In turn, the project will also help women in the Zhob and Mula river basin regions obtain employment and economic opportunities.
Learn more: ADB reviews BRT, urban transport and climate projects in Sindh
Beyond water, the ADB also approved a $330 million package for Pakistan just a week ago, aimed at expanding and modernizing the country’s high-voltage power transmission infrastructure. This should improve the flow of clean, inexpensive energy through the national grid.
