World Bank delegation calls on CM to discuss launch of WASH project

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday held a top-level meeting with a World Bank delegation led by Operations Managing Director Anna Bjerde at the CM House to discuss key development initiatives, including the launch of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project and ongoing housing efforts for the resettlement of the flood victims in the province.

The World Bank's delegation included Country Director Najy Benhassine and others. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Dr Azra Pechuho, Nasir Hussain Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Ali Hassan Zardari, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, and Planning and Development Board Chairman Najam Shah.

The two sides agreed on the effective initiation of the WASH project aimed at improving access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene practices across Sindh. The initiative would target 3,200 flood-affected villages, providing essential facilities to enhance public health and living conditions.

The CM highlighted that the WASH project was being launched with a total budget of $270 million and it would benefit approximately 1.5 million people. Of the total funds, $75 million would be provided by the World Bank, $13 million by the Islamic Development Bank, $100 million by the Asian Development Bank, and $100 million by the Sindh government.

The meeting also focused on the Sindh Peoples Housing Project, an initiative of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari aimed at rebuilding homes and fostering social transformation for flood victims.

The CM emphasised that the 2022 floods submerged 70 per cent of Sindh, affecting 12.36 million people and destroying 2.1 million homes.

The housing project covers a rural population of 15 million, exceeding the population of 154 countries worldwide. So far, 120,000 bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries have been opened, and financial assistance has been distributed to 1.15 million individuals, he said.

He added that approximately 750,000 house foundations had been completed, and 500,000 homes were in the final stages of construction. Additionally, 900,000 land ownership certificates had been issued in the names of women, empowering them economically and socially.

Shah said the project had generated over one million employment opportunities, providing vital livelihoods for affected communities.

During the visit, the World Bank delegation toured the Chief Minister’s House, where the CM showcased a photo gallery featuring prominent Pakistani women, from Fatima Jinnah to other national icons, as well as portraits of all the chief ministers of Sindh before and after Pakistan’s independence. The delegation appreciated the historical architecture and artistic presentation of the residence.

This collaborative effort between the Sindh government and international financial institutions marks a significant step towards sustainable development, disaster recovery and social uplift in the province.