ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $194 million in financing for two strategic development initiatives in Balochistan aimed at boosting education and water security. Country Director Najy Benhassine emphasized that the investments are designed to reduce poverty and build resilience through infrastructure and human capital development .
GRADES–Balochistan: Strengthening Early Education
The *Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES‑Balochistan)* initiative receives $100 million to benefit 250,000 students. It focuses on:
Improving early childhood and primary literacy and numeracy.
Expanding school capacity via double shifts and public-private partnerships.
Building climate-resilient classrooms and providing safe transport.
Delivering ongoing teacher training for 5,000 educators*.
Awarding scholarships to 400 female pre-service teachers*.
Team Leader Inga Afanasieva stated:
“The project not only aims to enhance educational infrastructure but also to increase resilience to disasters and environmental sustainability”
Balochistan Water Security & Productivity Improvement
The *Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project (BWSPIP), funded with *\$94 million**, targets agricultural and urban water needs by:
Improving water access in the Nari, Talli, and Lehri river basins on the Kachi Plain.
Enhancing supply services for *Quetta* residents.
Supporting *500,000 people* with basic water facilities and *80,000* with climate-resilient infrastructure.
Strengthening flood protection and productive water use for farming.
Task Team Leader Carolina Dominguez Torres highlighted:
“Through strategic investments, improved water management, and community engagement, the project aims to deliver lasting benefits for the sustainable development of Balochistan”
Investing in Balochistan’s Future
These projects align with Pakistan’s broader Resilient Recovery Framework, targeting poverty alleviation, job creation, and climate resilience. By investing in foundational sectors like education and water, the World Bank seeks to catalyze long-term socioeconomic improvements in one of the country’s most disadvantaged provinces
