Karachi
\nIFC signed a landmark agreement today to help Pakistan\u2019s Sindh province structure a public-private partnership project that will provide clean drinking water to nearly 1 million people in the city of Karachi.
\nWith a population of over 16 million, Karachi, the capital of Sindh, is Pakistan\u2019s largest city, economic hub, and main seaport. But it has struggled to maintain a reliable fresh water supply. Under the agreement, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, will advise the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), a Government of Sindh entity, on structuring and tendering a project to build new infrastructure to boost the city\u2019s water supply.
\nThe project, which will be executed by a private company, will include water treatment facilities and what\u2019s known as a bulk water conveyance system. That system will supply Karachi with 65 million gallons of water per day from Keenjhar Lake, some 140km away.
\n\u201cBy bringing in the private sector to develop and operate a bulk water supply system, more people will have access to the water they need. The project will provide the framework for future greenfield water infrastructure projects,\u201c said Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh.
\nPakistan ranks third globally for acute water shortages, according to the International Monetary Fund. Today\u2019s signing follows another landmark public-private partnership for an advisory agreement between IFC and KWSB last year, which included the rehabilitation and maintenance of a 100 MGD canal, a water treatment plant, and a pumping station.
\nThe project is Pakistan\u2019s first greenfield water supply initiative carried out under a public-private partnership.
\n\u201cWater scarcity in Karachi has affected residents and hampered businesses for years. Improved infrastructure is critical to fixing this,\u201d said Stephanie von Friedeburg, IFC\u2019s Senior Vice President, Operations. \u201cThis project demonstrates the power of the private sector to help governments modernize infrastructure, jumpstart economic growth and improve the lives of everyday people.\u201d
\nThe project is part of the World Bank Group\u2019s strategy in Pakistan to support private sector development and accelerate improvements in public service delivery. It also complements the World Bank-sponsored $1.6 billion Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Investment Project, which aims to improve KWSB\u2019s efficiency and sustainability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Karachi IFC signed a landmark agreement today to help Pakistan\u2019s Sindh province structure a public-private partnership project that will provide clean drinking water to nearly 1 million people in the city of Karachi. With a population of over 16 million, Karachi, the capital of Sindh, is Pakistan\u2019s largest city, economic hub, and main seaport. But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-231616","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n