Discussion between Pakistan and the World Bank revolves around bolstering water security and enhancing flood resistance.
World Bank and Pakistan Discuss Water Security, Flood Resilience, and Agricultural Productivity
In a meeting held on Tuesday, Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Mueen Wattoo met with a delegation led by Meskerem Brhane, Regional Director for 'Planet' in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region. The discussions focused on strengthening water security, enhancing flood resilience, and addressing water scarcity challenges in Pakistan.
The World Bank's Country Partnership Framework 2025-35, which includes the National Flood Protection Plan IV of Pakistan, was a key topic of discussion. Both sides agreed that the plan aligns with the World Bank's CPF and is eligible for support.
The growing water scarcity in Pakistan was another topic of concern. To address this, both parties agreed to enhance water efficiency and service reliability. Plans include creating a publicly accessible, data-driven platform to track progress and strengthen national water resource management.
The increasing frequency and intensity of floods in Pakistan was also discussed. Reducing water conveyance losses by 33 percent by 2030 is a major target under Pakistan's National Water Policy. The World Bank delegation offered support in achieving this goal.
Ways to improve agricultural water productivity were also discussed. This is crucial for Pakistan's food security and economic growth. Investment in water resource measurement and monitoring of projects across the country was emphasized.
Brhane offered condolences over the loss of lives and property in recent floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The meeting underscored the need for collaborative action on priority areas in Pakistan's water sector. Senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) were also present in the meeting.
Senior World Bank officials, including Bekele Debele Negewo, Francois Onimus, and Basharat Saeed, accompanied Brhane. Both sides agreed to hold follow-up discussions to identify practical solutions in infrastructure, governance, and management.
The World Bank's Pakistan Country Partnership Framework 2026-2030 prioritizes climate resilience, particularly flood resilience. The delegation's visit is a significant step towards strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank in addressing water-related challenges.
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