World Bank Augments Funding for KP Projects

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has sanctioned an additional $108 million for the Rural Accessibility Project ($78 million) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project ($30 million). This financial boost aims to facilitate both initiatives in achieving their goals of enhancing access to essential services, including healthcare, education, markets, and employment opportunities, while simultaneously bolstering resilience against natural disasters within the province.

Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Accessibility Project and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project are improving access to vital services and fostering climate and economic resilience. They are also creating job prospects for local communities through the rehabilitation of essential rural road infrastructure and enhanced disaster preparedness.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Accessibility Project (KPRAP)

The $78 million in supplementary funding for KPRAP will prioritize the provision of secure and climate-resilient road infrastructure. This will be achieved through the upgrade and rehabilitation of rural roads, thereby improving accessibility to key services such as schools, healthcare facilities, and marketplaces. Furthermore, the project supports safe and affordable transportation to schools for female students. Approximately 1.76 million individuals are expected to reap the benefits of this project.

Statements on the Project

Muhammad Bilal Paracha, the Task Team Leader for the project, emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province’s development objectives through this additional financing. He highlighted the project’s importance in enhancing the lives of people in the province, particularly women and girls, by improving access to vital services and economic opportunities.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE)

The $30 million in additional funds for KITE is anticipated to bolster the province’s tourism sector by finalizing the refurbishment of two roads, thus improving access to the province’s unspoiled tourist destinations nearby. It will also facilitate technical assistance and capacity building for the tourism sector and public sector stakeholders. The extra funding will enable improved destination management, heritage preservation, and the incorporation of digital platforms within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism sector.

Project Goals

Kiran Afzal, the Task Team Leader for the project, highlighted that KITE encourages responsible tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders. This encompasses enhanced roads, improved tourist amenities, and increased opportunities for local communities to profit from the expansion of the tourism economy. The project is set to generate employment, provide training to local residents, and safeguard the nation’s rich cultural legacy.