ISLAMABAD: The Green Balochistan Initiative, the province’s key socio-economic development project, is nearing completion of its first phase and has entered its second phase, the project's coordinator said on Monday.
Shehzad Jaffer told Pakistan TV Digital that the initiative, launched in 2022-23, targets the needs of local communities in areas such as water, roads, agriculture, and irrigation. District administrations, the Pakistan Army, and local Baloch citizens identified and prioritized issues, which were turned into detailed projects in 2023. Implementation began in 2024.
“Phase I is almost complete,” Jaffer said. About 80% of the work is done, and the project is expected to be finished by June 2026.
Phase I details and impact
Phase I includes 74 projects worth Rs21.2 billion, focusing on agriculture, roads, water supply, and small dams. The roads component features 22 farm-to-market links that will connect remote settlements to Balochistan’s highway network.
The water component includes 33 schemes, ranging from filtration plants to piped water supply, across several districts. Small dams have also been built in areas like Kalat and Awaran to improve irrigation.
Jaffer described the reconstruction of a 50-60 km section of the Washuk road, which turned a previously impassable route into a paved carriageway. Talking about its importance, especially in case of emergencies, he stated how “it can save lives when patients need to reach medical care.”
The project coordinator also mentioned a village that had lacked proper water supply for nearly 40 years. “We [installed] a solar-powered well, underground storage, and a filtration plant at the village's doorstep. People no longer [have to] walk long distances for unsafe water.”
Similarly, in Awaran, a cluster of 54 reverse osmosis plants is being installed to provide clean drinking water to remote areas.
Green Balochistan Initiative: Focus on agriculture
The Green Balochistan Initiative (GBI), which includes 13 agriculture projects, is central to the program. It aims to improve farm productivity and resilience. One major element is the development of the Kachhi Canal’s command area, which is expected to irrigate around 100,000 acres when fully developed.
The initiative also includes 333 solar-powered tubewells, submersible wells, drip irrigation systems, and plantations.
“GBI will create jobs in remote areas and improve Balochistan’s agriculture,” Jaffer said.
Phase II launches with new projects
The government has approved the second phase of the project, which includes 46 new projects worth Rs15.6 billion. This phase features 20 road projects, 18 water supply schemes, and eight irrigation schemes.
Work on the second phase has already begun, the project coordinator confirmed.
Monitoring and transparency measures
To track progress, the government has set up an online dashboard, updated every two weeks. The dashboard is accessible to all stakeholders.
“If progress is not updated on time, an alert is sent to the responsible officer,” Jaffer said.
Monitoring teams also conduct field checks to ensure projects meet deadlines and quality standards.
Jaffer stated that the initiative is community-driven. “The people encouraged us to start and expand into the second phase. They see the impact on their daily lives already.”
