ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has entered into an agreement with the World Bank for providing a credit of $25 million for the Balochistan Small Scale Irrigation Project.
The accord was signed by Economic Affairs Division Acting Secretary Junaid Iqbal on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary Ahmed Bakhsh Lehri and World Bank’s Yousapha B Crookes here on Wednesday.
The government will repay the credit, being provided under the International Development Assistance (IDA), in 35 years including 10 years of grace period. The credit is interest-free, however service charges at the rate of 0.75 per cent per annum and commitment charges of 0.50 per cent on undisbursed balance will apply.
The Balochistan Small Scale Irrigation Project will support efforts by the provincial government to improve the management of scarce water resources in Pishin Lora Basin.
Project activities are designed to recognise the importance of direct participation of water users and other stakeholders. Key indicators include increased surface water availability and reduced groundwater depletion; increased water productivity through a combination of engineering, management and agricultural measures; and expanded local capacity and participation of farmers to implement similar schemes and formulate plans for sustainable water resources’ development and watershed management.
The project will focus on Pishin Lora Basin in the northern part of Balochistan and will have three components including partial restoration of water storage capacity in Bund Khushdil Khan, development of small-scale irrigation schemes in Pishin Lora Basin; and institutional strengthening and capacity-building of the Irrigation and Power Department (IPD), water management institutions and farmer and community organisations and further studies and preparation activities for the next phase.
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