The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million in financing for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project, aimed at addressing prolonged delays and strengthening water security in Pakistan’s largest province.
In a statement issued Wednesday, ADB confirmed that the new funding will help complete key components previously stalled due to budget constraints. These include the Churi Infiltration Gallery, the development of the Siri Toi Dam command area, and crucial watershed management interventions. These elements are essential for improving irrigation efficiency, promoting sustainable water use, and curbing soil erosion driven by recurring floods.
A major innovation under the expanded project is the introduction of a piped water distribution network within the Siri Toi command area—offering higher efficiency, lower conveyance losses, and more reliable water delivery than traditional open-channel systems.
The additional financing builds on significant progress already achieved in enhancing irrigation infrastructure and strengthening water resource governance in Balochistan. Despite being rich in land area, the province continues to grapple with severe water scarcity, worsened by climate stress, recurring droughts, and limited water management capacity. Agriculture remains central to its economy, contributing nearly two-thirds of provincial output and employing 60% of its 13 million residents—yet vulnerability remains high, with poverty rates nearly double the national average.
“The project supports livelihoods and expands economic opportunities, particularly for women engaged in agriculture,” said Emma Fan, ADB Country Director for Pakistan, noting that the interventions target the Zhob and Mula river basins.
Once completed, the Siri Toi Dam will offer a storage capacity of 36 million cubic meters, ensuring reliable water supply for domestic and agricultural use across 16,592 hectares, including 1,839 hectares under khushkaba (rainwater harvesting) systems.
To secure long-term sustainability, the project also integrates afforestation, soil conservation, and the building of check dams to reduce land degradation and improve flood management in the catchment area.
Co-financed by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific and the High-Level Technology Fund, the initiative aims to establish a climate-resilient water management framework for Balochistan, ensuring sustained benefits for communities and the regional economy.
