The Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Development and Climate Resilience Project was formally launched with the signing of an agreement by Gilgit-Baltistan Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Riaz Ahmed, AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq and Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal.
The project is being financed through a combination of AFD funding, an EU grant, AKF resources and community contributions. It will introduce climate-resilient development measures across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan and is expected to benefit around 43,200 households, or approximately 325,600 people. Women are expected to account for at least 40% of the beneficiaries.
Under the initiative, 216 water supply and sanitation schemes will be developed, including 117 drinking-water supply projects and 30 sanitation schemes involving sewerage networks and wastewater treatment.
The project also includes hydropower initiatives expected to generate between 1,200 and 1,300 kilowatts of clean energy. Climate vulnerability assessments will be conducted across all 110 Union Councils, while 3,000 homes will undergo green retrofitting and another 700 households will receive energy-efficient and climate-resilient construction.
Training programmes will also be undertaken to strengthen local capacity in climate-smart planning, enterprise development and sustainable infrastructure management.
At the event, Northern Pakistan Energy Limited (NPak Energy) presented the findings of the Gilgit-Baltistan Energy Master Plan, a 30-year strategy developed under the EU-funded €31 million (Rs9.8 billion) Energy Plus project.
The master plan, prepared in collaboration with the Gilgit-Baltistan Water and Power Department, NPak Energy and other stakeholders, sets out a long-term strategy for developing a reliable, affordable and climate-resilient energy system while addressing the region’s power shortfall and expanding the use of renewable energy.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azaar welcomed the visiting AFD and EU delegations and AKF officials, saying the project would contribute to sustainable development and help communities cope with the effects of climate change.
He said the initiative would focus on practical improvements, including access to clean water and sanitation, electricity for remote communities, resilient housing, community-level micro-hydropower and employment opportunities for young people.
The chief minister also highlighted plans to increase community participation in identifying and implementing development schemes. He said work was underway to address the region’s energy challenges through the solarisation of government buildings and development of a regional power grid.
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis said the launch represented an important step towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the EU and its Team Europe partners would continue working with the regional government and AKF to address climate change and promote inclusive development.
AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq said the project would improve access to basic services while helping the Gilgit-Baltistan government strengthen its institutional capacity to implement community-driven development, particularly in remote areas.
AKF Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal said the initiative reflected the foundation’s long-term commitment to improving the lives of mountain communities through climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, stronger local institutions and inclusive economic opportunities.
The ceremony concluded with the participating organisations reaffirming their commitment to joint efforts to promote inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient development across Gilgit-Baltistan.
