Imran Shah inaugurates Solarized Water Filtration Plant, reaffirms commitment to climate-resilient rural development

ISLAMABAD, Jul 12 (APP): Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah Sunday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to safe drinking water and strengthening climate-resilient communities.

He stated this at inauguration of a solarized water filtration plant at village Daad Baloch, Union Council Karyal-1, Sahiwal under the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund’s (PPAF) Building Resilient Communities for Sustainable Development (BRCSD) Project.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony as chief guest, the minister said ensuring safe drinking water for rural and climate-vulnerable communities remained a key priority of the government, as climate change was placing increasing pressure on the country’s water resources.

 He stressed that investment in climate-resilient infrastructure was essential to protect public health, strengthen livelihoods and improve community resilience.

The solarized water filtration plant has been established by PPAF through its partner organization, Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF).

The ceremony was attended by Member Provincial Assembly Pir Wilayat Shah Khagga, PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech, CHEF International CEO Sohail Ayaz Khan, Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, senior officials and members of the local community.

The minister appreciated PPAF’s role in poverty alleviation and inclusive development, noting that the organization had reached nearly 18 million people across 150 districts through sustainable community-based initiatives.

He also commended PPAF’s relief and rehabilitation efforts in Sahiwal, including flood response, healthcare services and livestock support.

Highlighting the significance of the newly inaugurated facility, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said it would provide safe drinking water to around 550 households, benefiting more than 6,000 people in Village Daad Baloch.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to expand access to essential services through collaboration with PPAF and development partners.

Speaking on the occasion, PPAF CEO Nadir Gul Barech said sustainable poverty alleviation began with empowered communities and highlighted the organization’s longstanding partnership with governments, development partners and local communities to improve livelihoods, strengthen resilience and expand access to basic services.

He said PPAF had organized 2.8 million households, completed more than 35,000 community infrastructure projects, benefited nearly 18 million people and provided productive assets to over 302,000 ultra-poor households. In Punjab alone, he said, the organization had completed over 9,050 community infrastructure projects benefiting 5.13 million people.

Referring to PPAF’s work in Sahiwal, Barech said the organization had completed more than 160 community infrastructure projects benefiting over 81,000 people across 12,000 households. He said the newly inaugurated plant reflected PPAF’s continued commitment to ensuring safe drinking water and promoting climate-resilient development.

The solarized water filtration plant forms part of the Rs138 million BRCSD Project being implemented by CHEF International over two years.

The project includes strengthening 28 village organizations, preparing 28 village development plans, conducting community training, installing 24 solarized water filtration plants benefiting 4,800 households (33,600 people), and four reverse osmosis plants serving 1,200 households (3,600 people).

Constructed at a cost of Rs3.73 million, the Village Daad Baloch facility comprises a 250-gallon-per-hour water filtration plant, a 150-foot bore and a five-kilowatt solar power system to ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water.

During the visit, the federal minister also performed the groundbreaking of another solarized water filtration plant at Village Gamber, Sahiwal, under the same project.