The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million in financing to accelerate crucial water resource projects in Balochistan, reinforcing efforts to tackle the province’s chronic water scarcity and complete delayed infrastructure works.
The support comes at a critical time, as Pakistan’s largest province by area continues to face worsening drought cycles, declining groundwater levels, and mounting climate-related pressures. The new funds will help ensure that stalled components of the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project can now move forward.
According to ADB, the financing will allow for:
- Completion of the Churi Infiltration Gallery
- Full development of the Siri Toi Dam command area
- Expanded watershed management and landscape restoration that had been slowed by budget gaps
The bank noted that these interventions are essential to improving irrigation efficiency, restoring degraded landscapes, and protecting vulnerable communities from soil erosion and flood risks.
A key feature of the project is the installation of an innovative piped water distribution system in the Siri Toi command area, replacing traditional open channels. ADB said this modern network will “deliver higher efficiency, reduce losses and significantly improve service for local farmers.”
Balochistan’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which supports around 60 percent of the province’s population. However, years of drought, weak water management, and climate shocks have driven poverty levels in the province far above Pakistan’s national average. ADB Country Director Emma Fan said the project is designed to support livelihoods and broaden economic opportunities, particularly for women engaged in agriculture and related activities.
Once completed, the Siri Toi Dam will:
- Store 36 million cubic meters of water
- Secure water supplies for 16,592 hectares of farmland
- Include nearly 1,800 hectares under khushkaba rainwater harvesting systems
Beyond storage and irrigation, the project includes afforestation, soil conservation, and check dams to enhance long-term flood resilience and stabilize the local environment.
The programme is cofinanced by Japan through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, and is structured to build a climate-resilient water management system that can provide more stable and predictable water supplies for Balochistan in the years ahead.
