ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced an additional $330 million in assistance for Pakistan, according to its annual report released Thursday. The support package is set to benefit approximately 9.3 million individuals through a range of social welfare programs.
The funding will support conditional cash transfers to promote education among children and youth. A significant focus of the aid is to improve nutrition, especially for women, adolescent girls, and children living in disaster-affected and vulnerable communities.
Healthcare services will also be expanded under the initiative, with an emphasis on reaching marginalized groups who often lack access to essential services.
The report highlighted ongoing development and social challenges in the Central and West Asia region, noting that countries such as Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan continue to face high poverty rates and limited access to social safety nets.
In 2024, Pakistan received a total of $2.99 billion in financing from the ADB. This included over $2.31 billion in loans and grants, alongside $666.7 million in co-financing. The package also included $500 million to address the impacts of climate change.
Other major allocations included:
- $400 million for the Sindh Emergency Housing Project
- $400 million to enhance efficiency in power distribution companies
- $320 million for road construction and repair in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- $250 million for public-private partnership initiatives
The ADB reaffirmed its commitment to improving living standards and supporting inclusive growth in Pakistan and the broader region.
