World Bank approves $194 million for education, water security in Balochistan
The World Bank will also provide financial support to floods and rains affected farmers of Pakistan by providing them subsidised urea. PHOTO: FILE
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The World Bank has approved $194 million in financing for two key projects aimed at boosting education and water security in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, state television PTV reported.
In a statement issued Wednesday, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine said the funding would support the GRADES-Balochistan education initiative and a separate Water Security and Productivity Improvement project.
'The GRADES-Balochistan project aims to reduce learning poverty in the province, while the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project will help address the province's water security challenges and enhance climate resilience,' Benhassine said.
He added that the World Bank remains committed to supporting Balochistan through strategic investments that promote job creation, reduce poverty, and strengthen resilience.
Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES) project will receive $100 million. It aims to benefit 250,000 students by improving enrollment and learning outcomes in early childhood and primary education.
The project includes the construction of climate-resilient classrooms, provision of safe transportation, expanded school shifts, and public-private partnerships.
It will also support the professional development of 5,000 teachers and award scholarships to 400 female students for pre-service teacher training.
'The GRADES-Balochistan project is a strategically important initiative that addresses critical gaps in access to and quality of pre-primary and primary education in the province,' said Inga Afanasieva, the project's team leader.
The remaining $94 million will go toward enhancing water productivity and climate resilience across key districts in Balochistan.
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World Bank approves $194 million for education, water security in Balochistan
The World Bank will also provide financial support to floods and rains affected farmers of Pakistan by providing them subsidised urea. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article The World Bank has approved $194 million in financing for two key projects aimed at boosting education and water security in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, state television PTV reported. In a statement issued Wednesday, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine said the funding would support the GRADES-Balochistan education initiative and a separate Water Security and Productivity Improvement project. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project aims to reduce learning poverty in the province, while the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project will help address the province's water security challenges and enhance climate resilience,' Benhassine said. He added that the World Bank remains committed to supporting Balochistan through strategic investments that promote job creation, reduce poverty, and strengthen resilience. Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES) project will receive $100 million. It aims to benefit 250,000 students by improving enrollment and learning outcomes in early childhood and primary education. The project includes the construction of climate-resilient classrooms, provision of safe transportation, expanded school shifts, and public-private partnerships. It will also support the professional development of 5,000 teachers and award scholarships to 400 female students for pre-service teacher training. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project is a strategically important initiative that addresses critical gaps in access to and quality of pre-primary and primary education in the province,' said Inga Afanasieva, the project's team leader. The remaining $94 million will go toward enhancing water productivity and climate resilience across key districts in Balochistan.
Express Tribune
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Stocks extend gains over improved investor confidence
Listen to article Pakistan Stock Exchange, after registering the second-highest gain a day ago, extended its positive momentum on Wednesday as investors remained upbeat. The excitement from Tuesday's historic surge, when the KSE-100 index jumped over 6,000 points, was carried forward into the new session over investor confidence, fuelled by easing of geopolitical tensions and supportive economic signals. In the opening hours, the index rose 900 points before entering into a range-bound session as traders locked in profits and reassessed market direction. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran helped soothe regional risk concerns, giving investors room to refocus on fundamentals. Market Snapshot – June 25, 2025 Unlock today's market moves and stay one step ahead! Here's what's making waves: - ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds): Most Active of Today's Market - REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts): Best — PSX (@pakstockexgltd) June 25, 2025 On the economic front, the approval of $194 million in financing from the World Bank and $350 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) propped up Pakistan's external position and the broader economic outlook. Key sectors including commercial banks, automobile, fertiliser, and oil and gas exploration, marketing, and refining were active contributors to the KSE-100 index. The index touched the intra-day high of 123,257 points and low of 122,169 points, before settling at 122,762, up 515 points, or 0.42%. Arif Habib Limited Deputy Head of Trading Ali Najib observed that stocks witnessed a range-bound day post Tuesday's historic second-highest day-on-day gains. Read More: PSX soars as Middle East tensions ease The KSE-100 index mostly remained positive and extended its bullish drive, fuelled by improving investor confidence amid easing geopolitical tensions and strengthening domestic indicators. According to Najib, investor sentiment was further boosted by a sharp recovery in consumer confidence. The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), jointly compiled by Dun & Bradstreet and Gallup Pakistan, recorded a 9.2% quarter-on-quarter and 24.6% year-on-year rise, reaching 96.2 points, reflecting improved household outlook and optimism over economic recovery. In addition, he said, the Middle East ceasefire led to a significant drop in oil prices, easing inflationary pressure. Brent crude declined 5.2% to $67.75 per barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate fell 5.4% to $65.01 per barrel, which provided relief to oil-importing economies like Pakistan. Also Read: Consumer confidence at highest since 2022 Overall trading volumes decreased to 749.8 million shares compared with Tuesday's tally of 804.8 million. The value of shares traded was Rs28 billion. Shares of 472 companies were traded. Of these, 274 stocks closed higher, 161 fell, and 37 remained unchanged. WorldCall Telecom was the volume leader with trading in 102.4 million shares, gaining Rs0.03 to close at Rs1.49. It was followed by Pakistan Refinery with 47.1 million shares, rising Rs2.39 to close at Rs35.27, and Cnergyico PK with 39.6 million shares, gaining Rs0.09 to close at Rs7.25.
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ISLAMABAD: The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved $194 million for two projects to enhance educational opportunities for children and boost water security in Balochistan. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project aims to reduce learning poverty in the province, while the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project will help address the province's water security challenges and enhance climate resilience,' said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. 'The World Bank remains committed to supporting Balochistan through strategic investments in infrastructure and human development to build the foundations for more job creation, poverty reduction, and stronger resilience,' he added. The Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES-Balochistan) project, i.e. $100 million, will benefit 250,000 students with a focus on increasing enrollment and improving literacy and numeracy skills in early childhood and primary education. Pakistan seeks fourth restructuring of $393.73mn WB-funded higher education project The project will also provide support for 5,000 teachers through continuous professional development programs. Additionally, scholarships will be provided to 400 female students to pursue teacher pre-service education, fostering a new generation of educators who will serve as mentors and role models. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project is a strategically important initiative that addresses critical gaps in access to and quality of pre-primary and primary education in the province,' said Inga Afanasieva, Team Leader for the project. 'The project not only aims to enhance educational infrastructure but also to increase resilience to disasters and environmental sustainability. These efforts underscore the World Bank's commitment to creating a safer and more sustainable future for the children of Balochistan.' Meanwhile, the World Bank also approved the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project (BWSPIP) i.e. $94 million, which aims to improve the lives of smallholder and tenant farmers in the Nari, Talli, and Lehri river basins of the Kachi Plain and improve water supply services in Quetta. The project is expected to benefit 500,000 people with improved access to basic water supply services and benefit more than 80,000 people by providing climate-resilient infrastructure. Key elements include enhancing flood protection, increasing access to water for productive use, and improving water supply service delivery. 'The project supports the implementation of Pakistan's Resilient Recovery Framework and aims to provide significant benefits for the farming communities in the province as well as for the residents of Quetta. It will also empower women in community-level water management,' said Carolina Dominguez Torres, Task Team Leader for the Project. 'Through strategic investments, improved water management, and community engagement, the project aims to deliver lasting benefits for the sustainable development of Balochistan.' The GRADES project, designed to reduce learning poverty, and the BWSPIP project, designed to reduce child stunting through increased access to safe water and sanitation services, are key outcome targets under the 10-year Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan, the World Bank said.
