SAHIWAL: Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah on Sunday inaugurated a solar-powered water filtration plant in Village Daad Baloch, Union Council Karyal-1, Sahiwal, reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing safe drinking water and building climate-resilient communities.
The facility has been established under the Building Resilient Communities for Sustainable Development (BRCSD) project, implemented by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) through its partner organisation, Comprehensive Health and Education Forum (CHEF).
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Member of the 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.
Addressing the ceremony, the federal minister said ensuring access to safe drinking water, particularly for rural and climate-vulnerable communities, remains a key government priority. He said climate change is placing increasing pressure on water resources, making climate-resilient infrastructure essential for protecting public health, livelihoods and local communities.
He appreciated PPAF’s contribution to poverty alleviation and inclusive development, noting that the organisation has reached around 18 million people across 150 districts through sustainable community-based initiatives.
The minister also commended PPAF’s relief and rehabilitation efforts in Sahiwal, including flood response, healthcare services and livestock support.
Highlighting the newly inaugurated facility, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said the solar-powered water filtration plant will provide safe drinking water to around 550 households, benefiting more than 6,000 residents of Village Daad Baloch. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to essential services through partnerships with development organisations.
Speaking on the occasion, PPAF Chief Executive Officer Nadir Gul Barech said sustainable poverty reduction begins with empowered communities. He noted that PPAF has organised 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.
He said that in Punjab alone, PPAF has completed more than 9,050 community infrastructure projects, benefiting approximately 5.13 million people.
Referring to Sahiwal, Barech said PPAF has implemented over 160 community infrastructure projects, benefiting more than 81,000 people from around 12,000 households. He described the new filtration plant as another step towards improving access to clean drinking water and strengthening climate resilience.
The solar-powered filtration plant has been established under the Rs138 million BRCSD project, which is being implemented over two years by CHEF International. The project includes the formation of 28 village organisations, preparation of 28 village development plans, community training programmes, installation of 24 solar-powered water filtration plants benefiting around 33,600 people, and four reverse osmosis (RO) plants serving an additional 3,600 people.
Constructed at a cost of Rs3.73 million, the Daad Baloch facility includes 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.
During his visit, the federal minister also performed the groundbreaking of another solar-powered water filtration plant in Village Gamber, Sahiwal, under the same project.
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