Rs17.2bn project launched to boost climate resilience in GB

• Scheme to benefit 43,200 households across region
• Energy master plan unveiled to address power deficit

GILGIT: The Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government, Euro­pean Union (EU) and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) on Tuesday launched a €54.24 million (Rs17.2 billion) project to strengthen climate resilience and improve living conditions across the region.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Devel­opment and Climate Resilience (GBRDCR) project, supported through AFD financing, an EU grant, AKF funding and community contributions, will focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, basic services, renewable energy and institutional development.

The agreement was signed at the GB Chief Minister’s Secretariat by Additional Chief Secretary Riaz Ahmed, AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq and AKF CEO Akhtar Iqbal.

CM Amjad Hussain, EU Ambas­sador to Pakistan Raimundas Karo­blis, Senior Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar and Local Government Minister Zulfiqar Ali Murad also attended the ceremony.

The initiative will cover all districts of GB and include 216 water and sanitation schemes, which include 117 drinking-water supply schemes and 30 sanitation projects.

Hydropower initiatives are exp­e­c­ted to generate 1,200-1,300kW of cle­an energy. The project will also conduct vulnerability assessments acr­oss all 110 union councils, green-retrofit 3,000 households and support energy-efficient, resilient construction for another 700 households.

Training will be provided in climate-smart planning, enterprise development and sustainable infrastructure management. The project is expected to reach around 43,200 households, or 325,600 people, with women accounting for at least 40 per cent of beneficiaries.

Community participation

GB Chief Minister Amjad Hus­sain, addressing the ceremony, said the project would be an important milestone for sustainable development and protecting communities from the effects of climate change.

Energy master plan

During the event, Northern Pakistan Energy Limited (NPak Energy) presented key findings of the Gilgit-Baltistan Energy Master Plan, a 30-year roadmap developed under the EU-funded €31m (Rs9.8bn) Energy Plus project.

The plan seeks to establish a reliable, affordable and climate-resilient energy system while addressing the region’s power deficit and exploi­ting its renewable-energy potential.

EU Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis described the launch as a significant step towards a sustainable and resilient future for GB.

AFD Country Director Marc-Antoine Leclercq said the project would improve basic services and strengthen the GB government’s institutional capacity to implement community-driven development, particularly in remote areas.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2026