ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved an additional $108 million in funding to support two major development initiatives in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province: the Rural Accessibility Project (KPRAP) and the Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE).
The newly approved financing includes $78 million for the KPRAP and $30 million for the KITE project. According to a World Bank statement, the funds aim to improve access to health, education, markets, and employment while enhancing the region’s resilience to natural disasters.
“By rehabilitating key rural road infrastructure and strengthening disaster preparedness, these projects are not only expanding access to essential services but also promoting economic resilience and job creation,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.
The KPRAP’s additional funding will focus on upgrading and rehabilitating rural roads to ensure they are safe and climate-resilient. The improvements will facilitate access to schools, healthcare, and markets. The project also aims to provide safe, affordable transport for schoolgirls. An estimated 1.76 million people are expected to benefit.
Muhammad Bilal Paracha, Task Team Leader for the KPRAP, emphasized the project’s importance in advancing development goals in the province, particularly for women and girls.
Meanwhile, the KITE project’s $30 million boost will help complete the rehabilitation of two key roads that provide access to major tourist destinations. The funding will also support technical assistance, capacity building, and the integration of digital tools in the tourism sector.
In addition to enhancing tourism infrastructure, the KITE project will promote heritage preservation, destination management, and overall growth of the tourism economy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
