ISLAMABAD — Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, in partnership with Bank Alfalah, has launched a large-scale rehabilitation initiative worth PKR 66 million to support flood-affected communities across Gilgit-Baltistan. The programme aims to restore critical infrastructure, improve access to essential services, and strengthen long-term climate resilience in some of the region’s most vulnerable areas.
The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Focus Humanitarian Assistance, and the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, and is expected to directly and indirectly benefit over 13,000 people in Gilgit, Ghizer, and Hunza.
The programme was officially launched in Islamabad on 8 May 2026 in a ceremony attended by His Excellency Salem Mohammed Alzaabi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan, along with senior representatives from Bank Alfalah and the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan. The event also brought together key international development partners, including the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, Global Affairs Canada, and Concern Worldwide, reflecting strong multi-stakeholder support for disaster recovery and climate resilience efforts in the region.
The initiative comes in response to the severe impact of the August 2025 monsoon season, which triggered a series of natural disasters including flash floods, cloudbursts, debris flows, and glacial lake outburst floods across Gilgit-Baltistan.
These events caused extensive damage to essential infrastructure such as drinking water supply systems, irrigation channels, bridges, and housing. As a result, many communities were left without reliable access to clean water, agricultural irrigation, and safe living conditions.
The rehabilitation programme focuses on several priority areas aimed at both recovery and future preparedness. These include the restoration of drinking water supply systems to ensure safe water access for thousands of households, the reconstruction of irrigation channels to revive agricultural activity, and the construction of flood protection structures designed to reduce the risk of future disasters in vulnerable settlements.
In addition, the project will replenish emergency winterized tents to improve disaster readiness in high-risk valleys, particularly in remote mountainous areas where extreme weather conditions frequently disrupt normal life.
The total project budget is reported at PKR 57.05 million, with Bank Alfalah contributing PKR 50 million and the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan providing PKR 7.05 million. Alongside this, a separate PKR 9.3 million collaboration has also been included to support the installation of a 25KV solar power system at a school in Chitral, aimed at improving access to electricity for both students and teachers.
Implementation of the programme will be guided by close coordination with local communities and government authorities to ensure that the most affected and vulnerable populations are prioritised. The approach emphasizes community participation at every stage, from planning to execution.
A strong focus has also been placed on sustainability, with mechanisms for local ownership and maintenance built into the design to ensure that restored infrastructure remains functional in the long term.
The initiative also highlights ongoing international engagement in strengthening Pakistan’s resilience to climate change and natural disasters. Partners such as the UAE, Asian Development Bank, European Union, and Global Affairs Canada have been acknowledged for their continued support in humanitarian and development efforts.
The programme is presented as part of broader global efforts to enhance climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and sustainable recovery in vulnerable regions, particularly in mountainous communities exposed to increasing environmental risks.
Bank Alfalah President and CEO Atif Bajwa described the initiative as part of the bank’s long-term commitment to responsible banking and meaningful community investment. He said the organisation remains focused on supporting communities affected by floods and other disasters through impactful partnerships and development-focused initiatives.
Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal stated that the programme is designed not only to rebuild damaged infrastructure but also to strengthen the long-term resilience of communities. He emphasized that restoring essential services such as water systems and irrigation networks would allow families to recover with greater stability, dignity, and preparedness for future shocks. He also expressed appreciation for Bank Alfalah’s timely collaboration in reaching affected populations.
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