Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, on Sunday inaugurated a solar-powered water filtration plant in Sahiwal district, saying the government remains committed to improving access to clean drinking water and strengthening climate resilience in rural communities.
The facility, established in Village Daad Baloch of Union Council Karyal-1 under the Building Resilient Communities for Sustainable Development (BRCSD) project, is being implemented by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in partnership with the Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF).
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Shah said climate change was placing increasing stress on the country’s water resources, making investment in climate-resilient infrastructure vital for public health, livelihoods and sustainable rural development. He added that ensuring safe drinking water for underserved and climate-vulnerable communities remained one of the government’s priorities.
The minister said the newly commissioned solar-powered filtration facility would supply safe drinking water to about 550 households, benefiting more than 6,000 residents of Village Daad Baloch. He also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to expand essential public services through collaboration with PPAF and other development partners.
Shah praised PPAF for its role in poverty reduction and inclusive development, noting that the organization operates in around 150 districts and has reached nearly 18 million people through community-based initiatives. He also acknowledged the fund’s relief and rehabilitation efforts in Sahiwal, including healthcare, emergency assistance and livestock support provided after floods.
PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech said long-term poverty reduction depended on empowering local communities and building their resilience. He said the organization had worked closely with governments, development agencies and local communities to improve livelihoods and increase access to basic services.
Barech said PPAF had organized about 2.8 million households nationwide, completed more than 35,000 community infrastructure projects and provided productive assets to over 302,000 ultra-poor households. In Punjab alone, he said, the organization had implemented more than 9,050 community infrastructure schemes benefiting approximately 5.13 million people.
Referring to PPAF’s work in Sahiwal, Barech said the organization had completed over 160 community infrastructure projects, benefiting more than 81,000 people across roughly 12,000 households. He added that the newly inaugurated facility reflected PPAF’s continued efforts to improve access to safe drinking water while promoting climate-resilient development.
According to project officials, the solar-powered filtration plant was constructed at a cost of 3.73 million Pakistani rupees ($), and includes a filtration unit with a capacity of 250 gallons per hour, a 150-foot borehole and a 5-kilowatt solar energy system to ensure a reliable supply of potable water.
The project forms part of the 138 million Pakistani rupee BRCSD programme being implemented by CHEF International over two years. It includes the formation and strengthening of 28 village organizations, preparation of 28 village development plans, community training programmes, installation of 24 solar-powered water filtration plants expected to serve around 4,800 households, and four reverse osmosis plants benefiting an additional 1,200 households.
During the visit, the minister also broke ground for another solar-powered water filtration plant in Village Gamber under the same development programme.
The ceremony was attended by Member of the Provincial Assembly Pir Wilayat Shah Khagga, CHEF International Chief Executive Officer Sohail Ayaz Khan, Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, senior officials from PPAF and CHEF, and members of the local community.