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, under the Building Resilient Communities for Sustainable Development (BRCSD) Project being implemented by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) through its partner organization, Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF). The ceremony was attended by Member Provincial Assembly Pir Wilayat Shah Khagga, Chief Executive Officer of PPAF Mr. Nadir Gul Barech, Chief Executive Officer of CHEF International Mr. Sohail Ayaz Khan, Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, senior officials from PPAF and CHEF, and members of the local community.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Federal Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said that ensuring access to safe drinking water, especially for rural and climate-vulnerable communities, remains a priority of the Government of Pakistan. He highlighted that climate change is increasing pressure on water resources, making climate-resilient infrastructure essential for public health, livelihoods, and community resilience.
The Minister appreciated PPAF’s contribution to poverty alleviation and inclusive development, noting its outreach across 150 districts and its impact on nearly 18 million people as a reflection of its commitment to empowering communities through sustainable initiatives. He also commended PPAF’s development interventions and flood response in Sahiwal, including relief assistance, healthcare services, and livestock support.
Highlighting the newly inaugurated facility, he said the solarized water filtration plant will provide safe drinking water to approximately 550 households, benefiting more than 6,000 people in Village Daad Baloch. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding access to essential services and building climate-resilient communities through partnerships with PPAF and development partners.
Welcoming the guests, CEO PPAF Mr. Nadir Gul Barech said that sustainable poverty alleviation begins with empowered communities. He highlighted PPAF’s long-standing partnership with governments, development partners and communities to improve livelihoods, strengthen resilience and expand access to essential services.
He shared that PPAF has organized 2.8 million households, completed over 35,000 community infrastructure projects, benefited nearly 18 million people, and supported more than 302,000 ultra-poor households with productive assets. In Punjab, PPAF has completed over 9,050 community infrastructure projects benefiting 5.13 million people.
Highlighting PPAF’s work in Sahiwal, Mr. Barech said the organization has completed over 160 community infrastructure projects benefiting more than 81,000 people across 12,000 households. He added that the newly inaugurated solarized water filtration plant reflects PPAF’s continued commitment to ensuring safe drinking water and strengthening climate-resilient community development.
The solarized water filtration plant was established under the PKR 138 million BRCSD Project, being implemented by CHEF International over two years. The project includes strengthening 28 Village Organizations, developing 28 Village Development Plans, conducting community training, installing 24 solarized water filtration plants benefiting 4,800 households (33,600 people), and four reverse osmosis (RO) plants serving 1,200 households (3,600 people).
Built at a cost of PKR 3.73 million, the Village Daad Baloch facility comprises a 250-gallon-per-hour water filtration plant, a 150-foot bore, and a 5-kilowatt solar power system to ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water. The Federal Minister also performed the groundbreaking of another Solarized Water Filtration Plant at Village Gamber, Sahiwal, under the same project.
