The Asian Development Bank has approved an additional 48 million dollars in financing for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project, marking a significant step toward completing delayed components and enhancing long-term water and irrigation systems in the province. The Bank stated that the new funding will address critical gaps caused by earlier budget constraints and will help accelerate work on major infrastructure that is essential for sustainable water management. The support underscores the urgency of improving water systems in a region facing persistent scarcity, climate pressures, and economic challenges tied closely to agriculture.
According to ADB, the new allocation will be directed toward completing the Churi Infiltration Gallery, developing the command area of the Siri Toi Dam, and advancing watershed management activities that had been stalled due to financial limitations. The Bank described these components as central to improving irrigation efficiency, supporting sustainable water consumption, and mitigating flood-driven soil erosion, which has become a recurring issue in parts of the province. The project aims to build resilience in communities that depend heavily on agriculture, a sector that has been under strain from drought, land degradation, and limited access to reliable water sources.
One of the key additions under the expanded scope is the introduction of a piped water distribution system in the Siri Toi command area. ADB highlighted that this system is designed to reduce conveyance losses that often occur in open channel structures, enabling more dependable delivery of water for both agricultural and household use. The improved distribution network is expected to provide better control over water allocation and help reduce wastage, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional systems that have long dominated the region’s irrigation methods.
The additional support builds on earlier progress achieved under the broader water development program, which has focused on upgrading irrigation infrastructure, improving planning, and strengthening institutional capacity across Balochistan. Water scarcity has escalated in recent years due to economic and environmental pressures, making modern water infrastructure a pressing priority. Agriculture remains the backbone of the provincial economy, contributing nearly two-thirds of total output and employing about 60 percent of the population. However, widespread droughts, outdated irrigation systems, and weak management frameworks have made rural communities particularly vulnerable, with poverty rates in Balochistan standing at nearly twice the national average.
ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan said the project’s focus on the Zhob and Mula river basins aims to support livelihoods and create new opportunities for farming communities, including women who play a significant role in agricultural activity. Once completed, the Siri Toi Dam will be capable of storing 36 million cubic meters of water and will support a reliable supply across 16,592 hectares, including khushkaba rainwater-harvesting areas. The expanded water availability is expected to ease pressure on farmers, enhance crop productivity, and stabilize agricultural output in drought-prone zones.
The project also includes measures such as afforestation, soil conservation work, and the construction of check dams to reduce land degradation and improve flood management in the dam’s catchment. These interventions are intended to strengthen environmental resilience, protect farmland, and reduce the risk of flooding-related damage. The broader program is co-financed by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific and the High-Level Technology Fund, reflecting a multi-partner effort to develop a climate-resilient water system in the province.
With the latest financial support, the initiative is expected to move closer to its goal of building a more secure and efficient water management framework that can support long-term economic stability and reduce vulnerability across Balochistan’s rural communities.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.