The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned a substantial $659 million funding package to aid Pakistan in various development projects, boost the rehabilitation of schools affected by the August 2022 floods, and enhance agricultural productivity to bolster food security in the country.
ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov, emphasized that this funding is crucial for Pakistan’s recovery from the 2022 cost-of-living crisis and the devastating floods. It marks a step towards sustainable and inclusive long-term development. The ADB aims to support Pakistan in improving its economic situation and elevating the quality of life for its citizens through this strategic engagement.
Allocation of Funds and Project Details
The approved funding includes a $300 million policy-based loan focusing on foundational policies, laws, and institutional capacity reforms—the aim to improve domestic resource mobilization and utilization, emphasising transforming tax administration and public expenditure management. Additionally, the Sindh Secondary Education Improvement Project will receive $275 million for reconstructing up to 1,600 flood-damaged schools with resilient and inclusive designs.
A concessional loan of $80 million is allocated for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Security Support Project. This project aims to mitigate climate vulnerabilities, enhance food security, and improve the livelihoods in flood-affected rural areas. It includes providing essential agricultural inputs, training smallholder farmers, and enhancing digital access to market opportunities and climate information.
Furthermore, ADB recently approved a $180 million loan for improving water supply and solid waste management services in two rapidly growing cities in Punjab, reflecting the Bank’s ongoing commitment to Pakistan’s infrastructural and environmental development.