Sahiwal: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, inaugurated a solarized water filtration plant at Village Daad Baloch, Union Council Karyal-1, Sahiwal. The project is part of the Building Resilient Communities for Sustainable Development (BRCSD) initiative being implemented by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in collaboration with the Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF). The inauguration was attended by Member Provincial Assembly Pir Wilayat Shah Khagga, CEO of PPAF Mr. Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of CHEF International Mr. Sohail Ayaz Khan, Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, senior officials, and local community members.
According to Press Information Department, Federal Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah emphasized the importance of providing access to safe drinking water, particularly for rural and climate-vulnerable communities. He noted that climate change is exerting pressure on water resources, underlining the need for climate-resilient infrastructure to safeguard public health and community resilience. The Minister praised PPAF’s efforts in poverty alleviation, highlighting its impact on nearly 18 million people across 150 districts as a testament to its dedication to empowering communities. He commended PPAF’s development interventions in Sahiwal, including relief, healthcare, and livestock support.
The solarized water filtration plant is expected to supply safe drinking water to approximately 550 households, benefiting over 6,000 residents of Village Daad Baloch. The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to enhancing access to essential services and fostering climate-resilient communities through partnerships with PPAF and other development partners.
CEO PPAF Mr. Nadir Gul Barech welcomed the guests, emphasizing that sustainable poverty alleviation starts with empowering communities. He noted PPAF’s collaboration with governments, development partners, and communities to enhance livelihoods, resilience, and access to essential services. Mr. Barech highlighted PPAF’s achievements, including organizing 2.8 million households, completing over 35,000 community infrastructure projects, and providing support to over 302,000 ultra-poor households. In Punjab, PPAF has completed over 9,050 projects, benefiting 5.13 million people.
The solarized water filtration plant in Village Daad Baloch is part of the PKR 138 million BRCSD Project led by CHEF International, which aims to strengthen village organizations, develop village plans, and provide community training. The project includes 24 solarized water filtration plants benefiting 33,600 people and four reverse osmosis plants serving 3,600 people. Built at a cost of PKR 3.73 million, the Daad Baloch facility features a 250-gallon-per-hour filtration plant, a 150-foot bore, and a 5-kilowatt solar system. The Federal Minister also initiated the construction of another solarized plant in Village Gamber, Sahiwal.