World Bank Approves $400 Million Loan for Punjab Inclusive Cities Program

The World Bank has approved a USD 400 million loan to Pakistan to support the Punjab Inclusive Cities Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to transform urban development and enhance quality of life in Punjab’s cities. The program focuses on upgrading critical urban infrastructure, including the expansion and modernization of water supply systems, improving sanitation services, and strengthening waste management to ensure cleaner, healthier cities. Alongside physical infrastructure improvements, the program aims to enhance municipal governance by building the capacity of local authorities, promoting transparent decision-making, and improving service delivery to residents.

A key component of the program is its focus on climate resilience, including measures to protect urban areas from flooding, heatwaves, and other climate-related risks, while promoting sustainable development practices. The program also emphasizes gender inclusion, with targeted strategies to expand women’s participation in local administration and decision-making processes, empowering women to actively contribute to community planning and governance.

By integrating infrastructure development, governance reforms, climate resilience, and social inclusion, the Punjab Inclusive Cities Program is expected to deliver long-term benefits to urban populations, foster sustainable and equitable growth, and strengthen the overall capacity of cities to meet the challenges of rapid urbanization.