Funding to support modern piped water supply system which will help reduce water wastage, 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, blending new infrastructure with technology to support climate-smart, data-driven water governance.
The additional funds will be spent on the water project in Balochistan, a statement issued by the ADB said. The project, which also includes co-financing from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction and the High-Level Technology Fund, aims to introduce a modern piped water supply system, which will significantly reduce water wastage.
Read: Balochistan turns to tech for water security
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest and driest province, with 75% of the population living in rural areas dependent on agriculture. Two-thirds of its economy is dependent on the sector, with 60% of the province associated with it.
Severe water scarcity, groundwater depletion, erratic rainfall, and climate stresses have put pressure on the sector, threatening livelihoods.
The additional funding will aid water availability, feeding 1,839 hectares of rain-fed land. In turn, the project will also help women in the Zhob and Mula River Basin areas get employment and economic opportunities.
Read More: ADB reviews BRT, urban transport, climate projects in Sindh
Beyond water, the ADB also approved a $330 million package for Pakistan just a week ago, aimed at expanding and modernising the country’s high-voltage power transmission infrastructure. This is expected to improve the flow of clean and low-cost energy across the national grid.
