The World Bank has approved $240 million in financing for the Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2). This initiative aims to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Karachi. The project will focus on expanding investments in bulk water augmentation, water treatment, wastewater treatment and reuse, water distribution, and sewer network rehabilitation.
"Safely managed WASH services are the foundation of public health and quality of life and are central to addressing the stunting crisis in Pakistan," stated Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. KWSSIP-2 is expected to benefit various demographics within Karachi. "About half of all beneficiaries will be women, 58 percent will be youth (age 15–24), as well as over half a million people in Katchi Abadis (informal settlements)," added Benhassine.
Building on its predecessor KWSSIP-1, this project seeks to strengthen Karachi's infrastructure related to water supply, sewerage, sanitation, and treatment across the city. It aims to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation services in informal settlements. Long-term benefits include reduced costs from alternative water sources and health improvements by reducing waterborne diseases.
Khairy Al-Jamal, Task Team Leader for the project, highlighted efforts to address gender disparities within the sector: "KWSSIP-2 will also continue to address the gender gap in employment, representation, and leadership at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) through gender-inclusive recruitment plans." These plans involve technical training for women and institutionalizing an internship program for female graduates.
By 2030, KWSSIP-2 aims to provide a safely managed water supply to nearly 16 million people and sanitation services to approximately 7.5 million residents of Karachi. It also intends to enhance the performance of KWSC while encouraging private sector involvement in WASH service delivery.
This initiative is part of a broader World Bank effort under the Pakistan Urban WASH Services Program targeting 33.5 million people by 2035 with co-financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank amounting to $240 million. Additionally, contributions include $250 million from the government alongside expected private sector finance totaling $269 million.
The project forms part of a regional initiative by the World Bank aimed at providing WASH services across South Asia by 2035. Since joining the World Bank in 1950, Pakistan has received over $48.3 billion in assistance with a current portfolio comprising 54 projects valued at $15.7 billion.