ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million loan for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project (BWRDSP), the lender said in a statement on Wednesday.
The project, valued at Rs49.9 billion, had earlier been cleared by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) in September for implementation in the Zhob and Mula river basins. At that stage, officials detailed its financing structure: an ADB loan of $148m, an ADB grant of $5m, and a $34.37m contribution from the Government of Pakistan. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) gave its final approval on Tuesday.
According to the ADB, the newly approved funding will help complete critical components that were delayed due to budget constraints. These include the Churi Infiltration Gallery, development of the Siri Toi Dam command area, and watershed management interventions.
“These components are vital for enhancing irrigation efficiency, promoting sustainable water use, and mitigating soil erosion caused by floods,” the statement said.
The bank added that an innovative piped water distribution system would be installed in the Siri Toi command area, offering greater efficiency, reduced losses, and improved service compared to traditional open channels.
Once completed, the Siri Toi Dam in the Zhob River basin is expected to store 36 million cubic metres of water, ensuring reliable supply for domestic and agricultural needs across 16,592 hectares, including 1,839 hectares under khushkaba (rainwater harvesting) farming systems.
To improve long-term sustainability, the project includes afforestation, soil conservation, and construction of check dams to reduce land degradation and manage floods in the dam’s catchment area.
The ADB said the additional financing aims to build on earlier progress in improving irrigation infrastructure and strengthening water resource management in Balochistan, a province grappling with severe water scarcity worsened by economic pressures and climate impacts.
Agriculture, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of the province’s economy and employs 60% of its 13 million population, remains highly vulnerable to drought, weak water management capacity and climate risks. Poverty rates in the region are almost double the national average, the bank noted.
ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan said the expanded financing would support livelihoods and create better economic opportunities, particularly for women working in agriculture.
The project is jointly financed by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, funded by the Government of Japan, and the High Level Technology Fund. It aims to establish a climate-resilient, sustainable water management system to support long-term development in Balochistan.
