Funding to support modern 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 management.
The additional funds will be spent on the water project in Balochistan, said a statement issued by ADB. 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 water supply system with pipelines that 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 dependent on agriculture. Two-thirds of its economy is dependent on the sector, with 60% of the province linked to it.
Severe water scarcity, groundwater depletion, irregular rainfall and climate pressures have put pressure on the sector and threatened livelihoods.
The additional funding will help with water availability and feed 1,839 hectares of rain-fed land. In return, the project will also help women in the Zhob and Mula River Basin areas to gain employment and economic opportunities.
Read more: ADB reviews BRT, urban transport, climate projects in Sindh
In addition to 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 transmission infrastructure. This is expected to improve the flow of clean and cheap energy across the national grid.
