The World Bank has approved $194 million in funding for two major projects aimed at improving education and water security in Balochistan. The initiatives are designed to address the province’s long-standing development challenges while enhancing resilience to climate change.
According to a press release issued Wednesday, the Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES-Balochistan) project will receive $100 million to improve literacy and numeracy among 250,000 students. The project will focus on early childhood and primary education, with interventions including climate-resilient classroom construction, professional development for 5,000 teachers, and scholarships for 400 aspiring female educators.
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The second initiative, Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project (BWSPIP), has been allocated $94 million to improve water security in the Nari, Talli, and Lehri river basins of the Kachi Plain and enhance water supply services in Quetta. The project is expected to benefit 500,000 people by increasing access to clean water and providing infrastructure to withstand climate-related threats.
Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Balochistan through investments that promote job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable development. “These projects are vital to building a more resilient and inclusive future for the province,” he said.
Both projects reflect a strategic push to strengthen human capital and essential services in Balochistan, a region often sidelined in national development efforts.
