Pakistan Has Utilized Only 9% of Funds Received for Rehabilitation in Balochistan

The federal government has spent only $20.2 million (9 percent) out of $220 million of donor funding for post-flood recovery and rehabilitation projects in Balochistan, Finance Ministry sources told ProPakistani. The World Bank had approved a $400 million loan under the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project, but the Balochistan government has struggled to implement the project, despite available funds. Sources said that after using the first tranche of $210.3 million, Balochistan is expected to receive a second tranche of $180.7 million, though delays persist. Sources further said that China has approved a $200 million grant for housing construction for building 35,000 houses in Balochistan. Of this, $6 million was allocated for a pilot project to construct over 8,000 homes, but the funds have not been fully utilized. The World Bank has approved $100 million for Balochistan’s Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project. The federal government has urged the provincial authorities to set up a more efficient system for faster project implementation, warning that further funds will not be released until these issues are addressed, sources added.