The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $48 million loan for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Sector Project (BWRDSP), the bank announced on Wednesday. The extra financing aims to complete several key components delayed earlier due to budget shortfalls.
Read More: World Bank approves $200m water project for Balochistan
The BWRDSP, cleared by the Central Development Working Party in September, carries a total cost of Rs49.9 billion for the Zhob and Mula river basins. At the time, officials were informed that the project would be funded through an ADB loan of $148 million, an ADB grant of $5 million, and a government contribution of $34.37 million. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the project on Tuesday.
According to ADB, the fresh loan will help finalize the Churi Infiltration Gallery subproject, develop the Siri Toi Dam command area, and support watershed management activities. These components are considered essential for improving irrigation efficiency, promoting sustainable water use, and reducing soil erosion caused by flooding.
ADB Approves $48 Million Additional Financing for Water Resources Development in Balochistan, Pakistan https://t.co/oeFB0ql3Dj #water #Balochistan #Pakistan @dpr_gob @PlanComPakistan
— ADBPakistan (@PakistanADB) November 26, 2025
The bank added that an innovative piped water distribution system will be introduced in the Siri Toi command area. The system is designed to minimize conveyance losses and improve service delivery, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional open-channel structures.
Once completed, Siri Toi Dam is expected to provide a storage capacity of 36 million cubic metres in the Zhob River basin, greatly enhancing reliable water availability. The improved system will support irrigation and domestic water needs across 16,592 hectares, including nearly 1,839 hectares of khushkaba (rainwater harvesting) lands.
Watershed measures — including afforestation, soil conservation, and check dams — are also planned to strengthen flood management and reduce land degradation. ADB noted that Balochistan’s severe water scarcity, worsened by climate pressures and economic constraints, poses serious risks to livelihoods.
Read More: CDWP approves nine projects worth around Rs 79bn
ADB Country Director Emma Fan said the project will create economic opportunities, especially for women involved in agriculture, while supporting long-term, climate-resilient water management.