GILGIT, Sept 22: The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), European Union (EU) and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) on Tuesday launched a EUR54.24 million (Rs17.2 billion) project aimed at improving basic services and strengthening climate resilience across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The “Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Development and Climate Resilience” project will benefit around 43,200 households, or 325,600 people, through investments in drinking water, sanitation, clean energy, climate-resilient housing and institutional capacity. Women will comprise at least 40% of the beneficiaries.
Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Gilgit-Baltistan Riaz Ahmed, AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq and AKF Pakistan Chief Executive Officer Akhtar Iqbal formally signed the agreement at a ceremony in Gilgit.
The EUR54.24 million project will be financed through a combination of AFD financing, an EU grant, AKF funding and community contributions.
Under the project, interventions will include 117 drinking water supply schemes and 30 sanitation projects involving sewerage networks and wastewater treatment. The broader water and sanitation component envisages 216 schemes.
The project is also expected to generate around 1,200-1,300 kilowatts of clean energy through hydropower initiatives.
Climate vulnerability assessments will be conducted across all 110 union councils of Gilgit-Baltistan. The programme will also support green retrofitting of 3,000 households and energy-efficient and climate-resilient construction of another 700 houses.
Training will be provided in climate-smart planning, enterprise development and sustainable infrastructure management to strengthen the capacity of communities and institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azaar said the initiative would contribute to sustainable development while helping protect communities from the adverse impacts of climate change.
He said the objective was to deliver tangible benefits, including clean water, improved sanitation, electricity for remote villages, resilient and energy-efficient housing, community-level micro-hydropower and employment opportunities.
The chief minister said community participation would remain central to identifying and implementing interventions. He added that efforts were also underway to address the region’s energy crisis through solarisation of government buildings and development of a regional grid.
During the event, Northern Pakistan Energy Limited (NPak Energy) also presented key findings of the Gilgit-Baltistan Energy Master Plan, developed as a 30-year roadmap under the EU-funded “Energy Plus” project.
The EUR31 million (Rs9.8 billion) Energy Plus initiative supports the transition towards a climate-resilient and low-carbon economy in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.
Developed in partnership with the Gilgit-Baltistan government’s Water and Power Department, NPak Energy and other stakeholders, the master plan lays out a pathway for addressing the region’s energy deficit while tapping its renewable energy potential. It seeks to establish a reliable, affordable and climate-resilient energy system.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis said the launch of the rural development project and presentation of the Energy Master Plan reaffirmed the EU and its partners’ commitment to tackling climate change and supporting inclusive growth in Gilgit-Baltistan.
AFD Pakistan Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq said the project would improve basic services for the region’s population while helping the Gilgit-Baltistan government strengthen its institutional capacity to implement community-driven development, particularly in remote areas.
AKF Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal said the initiative reflected the foundation’s long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life of mountain communities through climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, stronger local institutions and inclusive economic opportunities.
The ceremony concluded with the partners reaffirming their commitment to working together for inclusive, climate-resilient and sustainable development in Gilgit-Baltistan.
