ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved $194 million in financing for two transformative projects in Balochistan aimed at tackling learning poverty and boosting water security in the drought-prone province.
According to World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine, the funding will support the GRADES-Balochistan (Generating Results for Access and Development in Education Sector) project and the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project. Together, these initiatives are designed to address longstanding challenges in human development and climate resilience across the province.
The GRADES project will focus on reducing learning poverty through targeted interventions in school infrastructure, teaching quality, and access for marginalized communities—particularly girls. It aims to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills, while improving governance and accountability in the education system.
Simultaneously, the Water Security and Productivity project will enhance sustainable water management and agricultural productivity. Key components include improving water infrastructure, promoting climate-smart irrigation, and bolstering institutional capacity to respond to climate shocks.
Najy Benhassine emphasized that the projects are part of a broader World Bank strategy to support inclusive and climate-resilient development in Pakistan’s underserved regions. “This support reflects our commitment to long-term investment in human capital and natural resources that are critical to the well-being of Balochistan’s people,” he said.
The approval signals strong donor confidence in Balochistan’s reform momentum and the federal-provincial collaboration driving development in one of the country’s most challenging environments.
