Islamabad, September 13, 2024 – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $320 million to support the rehabilitation and development of roads in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. This investment aims to improve safe, all-weather connectivity for rural areas, enhancing access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and markets.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project will upgrade approximately 900 kilometers of rural roads that are prone to flood damage and currently in poor condition. According to the ADB press release, the project focuses on routes that connect remote communities with critical services. In addition to rehabilitation, the project will incorporate climate-resilient designs, road safety improvements, and sustainable maintenance practices to ensure long-term durability.
“Road transport is both a lifeline for people and a key driver of socioeconomic development in Pakistan. This crucial infrastructure project will reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, and increase access to economic opportunities for millions of people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” stated ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov.
Zhukov emphasized that improved access to markets and services will empower local communities and stimulate inclusive economic growth in one of Pakistan’s most underserved regions.
In recent years, annual rainfall and rising temperatures have significantly impacted KP, and the lack of resilient infrastructure has worsened the consequences of natural disasters. Since 2010, frequent flooding has severely damaged the region’s road networks, resulting in increased transportation costs and disrupted connectivity.
The project will provide both technical and financial support to the KP government, assisting in the development of long-term, targeted interventions to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of the road network.
ADB Senior Transport Specialist Seunghyun Kim added, “ADB will help the government conduct a comprehensive study on flood susceptibility, with a focus on landslide vulnerability across the province, to identify priority roads.”
Kim also highlighted plans to support the government in preparing concessional contracts for the operation and maintenance of two tourism roads. This initiative will further contribute to the sustainability of the province’s road infrastructure.
It is noteworthy that Pakistan has been a founding member of the Asian Development Bank since 1966. Over the decades, ADB has committed more than $52 billion in loans, grants, and other financial assistance to Pakistan, supporting inclusive economic growth and the improvement of infrastructure, energy, food security, transport networks, and social services.
