تازہ ترین

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    Egypt could join expanding Mecca Agreement, says E…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Egypt could become part of the Mecca Agreement in the future, describing the framework as open to participation by additional countries. Speaking to Arab media, Erdogan said the agreement provides for collective action if any participating member comes under external attack. He suggested that the inclusion of Egypt could further broaden the scope of the regional arrangement. Erdogan also said Turkey’s immediate priority is not the European Union, arguing that Europe is currently facing serious shortcomings. He further stressed the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that keeping the strategic waterway closed for an extended period would serve no country’s interests.

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    Zimbabwe ferry disaster death toll climbs to 68

    ByJustpaste.in

    HARARE: The death toll from a ferry disaster on Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba has risen to 68 after rescuers recovered 22 more bodies, police said on Saturday. The ferry, operated by the government’s Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, overturned on Tuesday while travelling through rough waters. The vessel was carrying villagers and fish traders who rely on the lake for their livelihoods. Authorities said the boat was licensed to carry 90 passengers but had 114 adults and five crew members on board, along with an unknown number of children. The overcrowding has raised concerns about safety standards as the search for the remaining victims continues. Lake Kariba lies along Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia and is a vital source of transport and trade for communities living around the lake.

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    Baked with Pride, Sung with Love

    ByJustpaste.in

    Karachi: As journalists, we’ve attended countless 14th August celebrations — most of them lost in long speeches, endless queues of guests of honour and chief guests, or simply mismanaged and overcrowded. You leave unable to focus on even a single stage performance, let alone the sequence of events. This year was different. I attended a ceremony that was not only full of joy, but also remarkably well-managed and disciplined — a gathering where everyone truly felt part of the celebration. It was held at KDSP, a centre of excellence for children with Down syndrome. A Lesson in Discipline and Dignity And isn’t it surprising? In a country where we can’t even manage discipline at regular school functions, it took a centre for differently-abled children to show us how it’s done. With sharing. With togetherness. With dignity. I saw real joy and happiness on those children’s faces — and my daughter, Bibi Marium, was among them. The event was full of surprises.   In most gatherings, adults push and shove to get to the main head table and into group photos. Here, the children were gently accommodating each other in the queue for cake cutting. There was no chief guest to distract, no protocol to irritate the kids and parents. Even the CEO and Chairman stood to the side, watching joyfully as their children celebrated. A Family Festival, Not Just a Ceremony The next surprise was this: it wasn’t just a celebration. It was a family festival. Children and parents both came dressed in green and white — shalwar kameez, t-shirts, trousers, mostly in flag colours. They weren’t sitting on the sidelines. They were part of it — they were guests and chief guests both. The entire KDSP management — CEO, Directors, Managers, teachers, staff and mentors — made a point to be present too. But they chose to stand from the sidelines, letting the children take center stage. One of the most moving moments was when Abdullah Haris, a student of KDSP’s EFL program, played the National Anthem on the piano. The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause. And you could see the proudest smile on the face of CEO Tabish Shahzad as she watched her children shine. Baked with Love After the anthem came the cake-cutting ceremony — and again, no pushing, no crowding. Children, staff, and parents all enjoyed the refreshments together. There was enough for everyone. The cake was so soft, yummy and delicious that I assumed it came from some high-profile bakery. But to my surprise, it was prepared in-house — by the children of the cooking class, guided by their young yet expert instructor, Head Chef Zainab Durrani. A COTHM graduate and pursuing her special education degree, Chef Zainab has a rare gift: children instantly connect with her. For years she has been associated with KDSP, putting in all her effort to teach them the skill of cooking on every available platform. Under her guidance, these children aren’t just baking — they’re gaining confidence, independence, and pride. While talking to me, a parent of a child with Down syndrome, Mr. Karim Navroz Ali from the Finance Department said, “KDSP makes every effort to motivate our children, to inspire them, and to build a more inclusive society. These children must be treated equally — and normally.” He nodded, head held high. And again to my surprise, after the ceremony, everyone was back to work and into the class, no day of skill development of a child is wasted, that development means here. “1947. Pakistan. Independence.” I also spoke with Ms. Sadia Navaid, a skills facilitator at KDSP, who teaches and empowers students with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. She is among the teachers loved by all. When I asked her whether these children feel patriotism and love for the country, her answer left me speechless. She shared that when she asked the children to make a quilling flag, they instantly said: “1947. Pakistan. Independence.” Ms. Sadia emphasized that these children are often more sensitive than others, and they carry a deeper feeling of ownership for their country. The managers of the Skill Development Program — Ms. Mahzaib Faheem, Ms. Umme Farwa, and Ms. Sania Siddiqui, Ms Mehak — also dressed in green and white, were glowing with pride. They shared that although the event was short and sweet, it took days of decorating the entire center and making arrangements for this precious day. “For us, it’s not just about a celebration,” they said. “It motivates the children, and it also binds us all together in joyful times.” What Independence Is Meant to Be As I walked out of KDSP that day, my heart was full. What I saw wasn’t just an Independence Day celebration. I saw courage, I saw dignity, I saw belonging. These children taught me that patriotism isn’t about grand speeches — it’s about standing together, singing together, baking together, and believing together. KDSP isn’t just building skills. It’s building a Pakistan where every child, regardless of ability, is seen, heard, and celebrated. And in that hall, dressed in green and white, I truly felt it: this is what independence is meant to be. “Independence is not a day on the calendar. It is the day a child feels they belong to.”   Meet the author: The writer is a senior journalist and columnist covering crime, law, social issues, governance, energy, health, literature, and women and children’s rights across Pakistan’s leading English media houses. Feedback: mediawomen2014@gmail.com

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    Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad spark breakup rumours again

    ByJustpaste.in

    Rumours surrounding Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad’s relationship have resurfaced after a purported screenshot from the exclusive dating app Raya went viral on social media. The screenshot allegedly showed a profile featuring Hrithik’s photograph, age and Instagram handle. The bio reportedly described the person as an “Actor/Producer/Entrepreneur” based in Mumbai. Its sudden appearance online sparked widespread discussion, with social media users questioning whether Hrithik and Saba had ended their relationship. However, there has been no independent confirmation that the profile actually belongs to Hrithik Roshan or that the account is genuine and currently active. As a result, the dating-app screenshot remains unverified, despite generating considerable attention online. Amid the speculation, Hrithik and Saba were reportedly spotted together at PVR in Juhu, Mumbai. Their public appearance appeared to contradict the breakup rumours circulating online. The two were seen leaving the cinema together and reportedly walked hand-in-hand, giving the impression that they were still comfortable and close. The couple also appeared to have coordinated their outfits for the outing, with both wearing black T-shirts. Hrithik completed his casual look with a cap as they made their way out of the theatre. Hrithik and Saba have been romantically linked since 2021. Although they initially kept their relationship relatively private, the pair eventually began making joint public appearances. They officially drew wider attention as a couple after attending filmmaker Karan Johar’s 50th birthday celebration together. Since then, Hrithik and Saba have frequently been seen together at social gatherings, events and casual outings. Their relationship has continued to attract significant public interest, particularly because of Hrithik’s status as one of Bollywood’s most prominent actors. Before his relationship with Saba, Hrithik was married to Sussanne Khan. The couple tied the knot in 2000 and later welcomed two sons. Hrithik and Sussanne separated and eventually divorced in 2014, but they have maintained a cordial relationship and continued to co-parent their children. Saba has also developed a friendly connection with Sussanne and has been seen spending time with her and members of her family. Hrithik, meanwhile, shares a cordial relationship with Sussanne’s partner, actor Arslan Goni. Their modern family dynamic has often attracted positive attention from fans. The latest dating-app speculation has therefore remained unconfirmed, while Hrithik and Saba’s recent appearance together has seemingly eased concerns among their followers. Although neither has publicly addressed the latest rumours, their outing at Juhu PVR suggests that the speculation about a possible breakup may not reflect the current state of their relationship. For now, the alleged Raya profile remains unverified, and there is no confirmed indication that Hrithik and Saba have ended their relationship. Fans are likely to continue watching their public appearances for further clues, but any conclusions about their personal lives remain speculative until either of them chooses to comment publicly.

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    Deepika and Ranveer prepare to welcome second child

    ByJustpaste.in

    Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are reportedly preparing to welcome their second child, with the couple keeping a relatively low profile as they enter another important chapter of their family life. While both actors have remained focused on their professional commitments, their recent appearance at the airport offered fans a rare glimpse of the family together. Deepika was recently spotted travelling to Bengaluru with her daughter, Dua. According to videos circulating online, Ranveer also accompanied his wife and daughter to the airport. The actor appeared to remain inside the car for most of the time and seemed keen to avoid attention from photographers. However, he was eventually seen in the footage as the family made their way through the airport. Deepika attracted attention with her relaxed travel look. She wore an oversized shirt with baggy denim jeans, keeping her outfit comfortable and casual. Her visible baby bump and pregnancy glow quickly became a talking point among fans, who were excited to catch a glimpse of the actress during her pregnancy. Ranveer, meanwhile, kept his appearance simple in a white T-shirt and glasses. The couple’s growing family is also believed to have influenced Ranveer’s upcoming work schedule. The actor is currently associated with the highly anticipated project Pralay, directed by Jai Mehta. The production was initially expected to include a lengthy shooting schedule in Australia. However, parts of the schedule are now reportedly being shifted to Mumbai. The change is said to be connected to both personal and production-related considerations. With Deepika expecting their second child, Ranveer is reportedly keen to remain close to his family during this significant period. At the same time, the production has reportedly encountered difficulties in obtaining permissions for certain Australian filming locations. Moving portions of the shoot to Mumbai could therefore make the production process more manageable while allowing Ranveer to stay closer to home. Since welcoming their daughter Dua, Deepika and Ranveer have generally kept their family life away from excessive public attention. Their latest airport appearance was therefore welcomed by fans, who were quick to share clips and discuss the couple’s preparations for the arrival of their second baby. On the professional front, Deepika is set to appear in King, while Ranveer continues his work on Pralay. The actor is reportedly trying to maintain a balance between his demanding career and his responsibilities as a husband and father. With the arrival of their second child approaching, family is expected to remain an important priority for both stars in the coming months.

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    Kristen Stewart recalls Twilight days with Robert Pattinson

    ByJustpaste.in

    Kristen Stewart has looked back on her early days filming the Twilight franchise with a mix of humour, embarrassment and affection, admitting that she and former co-star Robert Pattinson took the romantic vampire story far more seriously than they probably needed to. During an appearance on In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele, released on August 14, the 36-year-old actress and filmmaker reflected on playing Bella Swan in the first Twilight film, which was released in 2008. Stewart joked about her younger self, describing herself as a “pretentious little loser” while remembering how intensely she approached the role at the time. Stewart was only 17 when production began, and she explained that both she and Pattinson had a very serious, teenage approach to the material. Rather than simply playing their characters naturally, they wanted to make the story feel meaningful and authentic. According to Stewart, she and Pattinson often felt that they needed to elevate the material and make every moment feel extremely important. Looking back now, however, she finds that attitude amusing and recognises just how young they were. The actress also recalled feeling frustrated because she wanted the relationship between Bella and Edward to feel completely genuine. At the time, she worried that the circumstances surrounding the production made that difficult. Years later, she realised that the sincerity she and Pattinson brought to the performances was actually one of the things that made the films connect with audiences. Despite the passage of more than a decade, Stewart said she does not mind continuing to discuss Twilight. She has also expressed openness to returning to the franchise if the right opportunity ever came along. Pattinson has similarly spoken positively about his experience with the series. In an April 2026 interview with Vogue, the actor said he would not change his performance in the original film. He explained that the cast and filmmakers approached the story with complete seriousness, without deliberately making fun of its unusual premise. Pattinson noted that everyone involved treated the vampire romance as something genuine, even though the concept itself was fantastical. He suggested that the earnestness of the performances was an important part of what made the movie distinctive. Stewart and Pattinson’s professional relationship eventually developed into a real-life romance. The pair began dating in 2009 after meeting during the production of Twilight and remained together for several years before separating in 2013. Their relationship faced intense public attention, particularly in 2012 when Stewart was photographed with Rupert Sanders, the married director of Snow White and the Huntsman. Stewart later publicly apologised for what she described as a brief indiscretion. Both stars have since moved on with their personal lives. Stewart married writer and director Dylan Meyer in April 2025, while Pattinson became engaged to Suki Waterhouse in December 2023 after several years together. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2024. Although their Twilight era is now more than a decade behind them, Stewart and Pattinson’s memories of the franchise continue to attract attention, particularly as both actors have come to appreciate the sincerity they brought to their iconic roles.

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    Shoaib Malik spends quality time with son Izhaan in Dubai

    ByJustpaste.in

    Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik is currently in Dubai, where he is enjoying some quality time with his son, Izhaan Mirza Malik. The father-son duo recently shared a playful moment that has captured the attention of social media users, with fans praising their close bond and the fun-filled relationship they appear to share. Shoaib Malik represented Pakistan for more than two decades after making his international debut in 1999. During his lengthy international career, the versatile all-rounder became an important part of the national team and featured in several memorable matches and major tournaments. He was also part of Pakistan’s victorious squad at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and played a role in the team’s success in the ICC Champions Trophy. Away from cricket, Malik’s personal life has also remained in the public spotlight. He married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in 2010 in a high-profile cross-border wedding. The couple welcomed their son, Izhaan, in 2018. After several years together, Malik and Mirza eventually went their separate ways. Malik later married Pakistani actress Sana Javed. Despite the changes in his personal life, Malik continues to make time for his son. His recent meeting with Izhaan in Dubai has offered fans another glimpse into their relationship. During their previous meetup, the father and son decided to enjoy a short football match. Izhaan unfortunately lost the game, but the young boy was not ready to give up. When they met again, he came prepared for a rematch and confidently challenged his father. Izhaan admitted that he had experienced a bad day during their previous football game but insisted that things would be different this time. He set himself an ambitious target, saying he would score four goals in 10 attempts. He also came up with an exciting reward for himself if he managed to succeed. According to the challenge, if Izhaan won, his father would take him to the cinema to watch the upcoming Spider-Man movie. The playful competition between the two has given fans an adorable look at their time together. The interaction quickly attracted attention online, with social media users enjoying the lighthearted exchange between Malik and his son. Many fans praised the former cricketer for spending time with Izhaan and appreciated the strong bond between the two. Several users also pointed out how much Izhaan resembles his famous father, with some saying the young boy appears to have inherited Malik’s features. Others jokingly encouraged Malik to let his son win the football challenge so that Izhaan could enjoy his promised cinema outing. The father-son moment has resonated with fans because of its simple and playful nature. Rather than focusing on Malik’s cricketing achievements or his high-profile personal life, the interaction showed him enjoying an ordinary and meaningful moment with his son. As Malik continues to spend time with Izhaan in Dubai, their latest football challenge has become another sweet reminder of the special bond between a father and his child.

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    Nimra Khan’s ex-husband confirms their divorce

    ByJustpaste.in

    Nimra Khan, one of Pakistan’s well-known television actresses, has made headlines following confirmation of her divorce from Zain Hamid, a UK-based pilot whom she married in June 2026. The actress, who has built a strong fan base with her television performances, has 5.1 million followers on Instagram. Over the years, she has appeared in several popular dramas, including Aye Musht-e-Khaak, Ehraam-e-Junoon, Uraan, Meharbano, Mujhe Khuda Pay Yaqeen Hai, Choti Si Zindagi, Khoob Seerat, Baaghi and Umm-e-Ayesha. Her portrayal of a hijabi girl in Umm-e-Ayesha was particularly appreciated by viewers. Ehraam-e-Junoon and Sara Aapi also remained among the notable projects of her career. Nimra Khan married Zain Hamid in June after entering a new chapter of her personal life. At the time, the actress openly expressed her happiness about the marriage and spoke positively about starting a new journey with her husband. However, speculation about problems in the marriage began circulating later after social media posts shared by Nimra’s father attracted public attention. Although Nimra maintained that everything was fine, she chose to keep many details of her wedding private. She explained that she wanted to protect the relationship from the evil eye. Her social media activity later led to further speculation, with some followers interpreting certain posts as indirect references to her former husband. Despite the growing rumours, there was no immediate official confirmation from the couple. The situation changed when Zain Hamid publicly confirmed that the couple had separated. In an Instagram statement, he revealed that he had divorced Nimra on July 17, citing irreconcilable personal differences and choices. He stressed that he did not want to blame either side and described the separation as an amicable decision. Zain also addressed one of his earlier social media posts, explaining that his remarks about being “at peace finally” and “good riddance” were made in response to what he described as uncalled-for social media posts and status updates. He further clarified that his comments were not intended to disrespect women. According to Zain, the legal dissolution process has been filed and will now be handled by lawyers. He also wished Nimra well and acknowledged that divorce is a difficult experience for both men and women. The confirmation has left many of Nimra’s followers disappointed, particularly those who had hoped that the earlier rumours would turn out to be false. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some users defending Nimra while others criticized the circumstances surrounding her second marriage. The news has once again placed Nimra Khan’s personal life under intense public attention, although both sides have indicated that the separation is being handled through the proper legal process.

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    Power sector circular debt rises by Rs364 billion in FY2025-26

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s power sector circular debt increased by Rs364 billion during fiscal year 2025-26, highlighting persistent weaknesses in the electricity supply chain despite substantial government subsidies and efforts to contain the buildup of unpaid liabilities. According to the circular debt report for June 2026, the increase was significantly higher than the previous year, when the debt had risen by around Rs45 billion. The latest increase represents a surge of roughly 709% year-on-year in the annual flow of circular debt. The Power Division has not yet formally uploaded the one-page circular debt report for June 2026 on its official website. The latest figures indicate that structural problems, including distribution company inefficiencies, weak bill recovery, payment disputes and delays in tariff adjustments, continue to generate fresh liabilities in the power sector. The development comes despite the government’s efforts to contain the debt through budgetary support and subsidies. IMF target and government commitments The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had permitted Pakistan to record up to Rs400 billion in circular debt flow during the year, while simultaneously requiring the government to take measures to prevent the accumulation of new liabilities and eventually bring the flow down to zero. Under the IMF programme, the government has been relying on tariff adjustments, subsidy rationalisation and other reforms to improve the financial health of the electricity sector. However, the latest increase suggests that governance and operational problems remain a major obstacle to achieving a sustainable reduction in circular debt. The government provided approximately Rs302 billion in subsidies aimed at supporting the power sector and reducing the debt burden. However, the amount was insufficient to maintain the circular debt stock at the level of Rs1.614 trillion recorded at the end of June 2025. As a result, the debt stock recorded a net increase of around Rs61 billion during the year. The Power Division had earlier stated that the federal government allocated Rs893 billion for the power sector in the FY2025-26 budget. However, around Rs98 billion of the allocated amount was not released, affecting the government’s ability to reduce the outstanding liabilities. A Power Division spokesperson said that if the entire budgeted allocation had been released, the circular debt stock could have fallen further to around Rs1.577 trillion. The funding shortfall, according to the official, contributed to the Rs61 billion increase recorded during the year. Distribution companies remain a major source of losses Inefficiencies within power distribution companies continued to be one of the biggest contributors to the accumulation of circular debt. The government incurred approximately Rs262 billion in losses during FY2025-26 because of inefficiencies in distribution companies. The amount was only around Rs3 billion lower than the previous year, indicating that little progress has been made in addressing operational weaknesses. Another Rs64 billion was added to the circular debt because of lower electricity bill recoveries. Although significant, this amount was around 51% lower than the corresponding figure recorded in the preceding year. The figures underline the financial pressure created by electricity theft, transmission and distribution losses, weak collection systems and inadequate enforcement against non-paying consumers. Privatisation of distribution companies The government has initiated the process of privatising three relatively profitable distribution companies — Faisalabad Electric Supply Company, Gujranwala Electric Power Company and Islamabad Electric Supply Company. However, the proposed privatisation is not expected to immediately resolve the broader circular debt problem because a substantial portion of sector losses originates from other distribution entities. Earlier, the government had considered a model under which profitable distribution companies would be combined with loss-making entities before privatisation. The plan, however, was subsequently abandoned in favour of offering comparatively stronger companies separately. Experts have repeatedly argued that privatisation alone cannot eliminate circular debt unless the underlying issues of electricity theft, poor recoveries, governance and operational losses are addressed across the entire distribution network. K-Electric dispute adds to debt Payment disputes with K-Electric also contributed substantially to the increase. According to the report, approximately Rs194 billion was added to the circular debt because of non-payments by K-Electric. The company’s outstanding payments are linked to a dispute concerning the delayed finalisation of its multi-year tariff by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority. The prolonged disagreement has created financial pressure throughout the power supply chain, adding to the accumulation of unpaid liabilities. In addition, around Rs75 billion was added to the circular debt because of delays in tariff adjustments. The government, meanwhile, made payments of approximately Rs129 billion against principal loans of the power sector. Without these payments, the annual circular debt flow could have exceeded Rs600 billion, according to the figures. The Power Division also benefited from a reduction of around Rs98 billion in the circular debt flow because of subsidy payments. Interest payments add further pressure Interest charges also contributed to the accumulation of liabilities, adding around Rs14 billion to the circular debt during the fiscal year. These financing costs ultimately increase the burden on consumers because the cost of servicing the sector’s outstanding liabilities is recovered through electricity bills. Consumer groups have frequently criticised the practice, arguing that households and businesses that regularly pay their electricity bills are effectively being charged for inefficiencies, theft and non-payment elsewhere in the system. Subsidies and burden on consumers The government’s continued reliance on subsidies has helped prevent an even larger accumulation of circular debt, but it has also placed pressure on the national budget. The power sector received hundreds of billions of rupees in subsidies during the year, while the government simultaneously pursued tariff increases and other measures intended to improve cost recovery. The contrast has raised questions about whether existing policies are addressing the underlying causes of circular debt or merely shifting the burden between consumers, the federal budget and power-sector entities. The government has also been under pressure to address similar financial problems in the gas sector. Although no comparable subsidy was provided for the gas sector, the authorities were expected to prevent a further increase in its circular debt. The government reportedly refrained from passing the full reduction in gas prices on

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    Balochistan flood resilience project faces delays despite housing support progress

    ByJustpaste.in

    QUETTA: Implementation of a major World Bank-backed flood resilience programme in Balochistan is facing significant delays, with slow progress on infrastructure, climate services and housing reconstruction raising concerns about the project’s ability to meet its targets before the scheduled completion date. The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project (P180323), launched in the aftermath of the devastating 2022 floods, has seen mixed results. While more than 74,000 affected households have received the first tranche of financial assistance for housing reconstruction, several key components of the project remain substantially behind schedule. According to the World Bank’s latest Implementation Status and Results Report, overall implementation progress has been downgraded to “Moderately Unsatisfactory”, while the project’s development objective continues to carry a “Moderately Satisfactory” rating. The overall risk associated with the project remains high. The programme was approved in May 2023 with the broader objective of helping flood-affected communities restore livelihoods, regain access to essential services and strengthen their ability to withstand future climate-related disasters. Infrastructure work gains momentum The project includes several major components covering community infrastructure, resilient housing, hydro-meteorological and climate services, as well as institutional strengthening and project management. The World Bank reported some improvement in the community infrastructure component following the appointment of a dedicated project director and the strengthening of the Project Implementation Unit. Detailed engineering designs and bidding documents are now close to completion, while procurement activities have begun. Despite these developments, the project has yet to achieve any of the three development-objective-linked output indicators associated with the component. The gap reflects the difference between preparatory work and actual delivery of infrastructure on the ground, with authorities still required to translate procurement and planning progress into completed projects for flood-affected communities. Climate services remain behind schedule Progress has also been reported in the climate-services component following the appointment of a new deputy project director and the award of a contract for Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). However, several critical steps remain outstanding. The onboarding of the system integrator has yet to be completed, while a number of important procurement activities are still pending. The project aims to strengthen Balochistan’s ability to monitor weather conditions and provide timely warnings to communities exposed to floods and other climate-related hazards. Under the programme, the authorities are targeting the installation of 110 Automatic Weather Stations and the operationalisation of four weather radars. As of July 2026, none of the targeted weather radars had become operational. One positive development has been the establishment of a hydrological modelling-based early warning system for hill torrents in Balochistan, which could improve preparedness in areas vulnerable to sudden flooding. Housing component performs better The strongest performance has been recorded under the resilient housing component. More than 74,000 households have received the first tranche of housing assistance, providing financial support to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the 2022 floods. However, the World Bank has identified several risks that could affect further progress. These include a decision by the Project Steering Committee to limit beneficiary coverage, a funding shortfall affecting other eligible households, unresolved complaints and grievances, and communication difficulties with beneficiaries. The World Bank warned that these issues could undermine confidence in the programme and affect its ability to reach the intended beneficiaries. The physical reconstruction figures also show that considerable work remains. By July 2026, only 30,226 housing units had been restored or reconstructed against the project’s target of 97,000 homes by December 2028. This means authorities will need to significantly accelerate reconstruction during the remaining implementation period if the target is to be achieved. Essential services target remains distant The project also aims to restore access to essential services for flood-affected communities. By July 2026, around 214,217 people had regained access to at least one essential service. However, the eventual target is 1.5 million people, indicating a substantial gap between current achievements and the programme’s planned outcome. Similarly, the project has yet to register progress against its target of improving climate resilience for 1.8 million people. The figures suggest that while financial assistance and preparatory activities have moved forward, the broader resilience-building objectives are yet to translate into measurable results on the required scale. Irrigation and flood protection work yet to deliver The restoration of flood-damaged irrigation systems is another major area where implementation remains slow. The project has a target of restoring irrigation infrastructure covering approximately 50,000 hectares. A similar target has been set for improving flood-protection infrastructure over an area of 50,000 hectares. However, as of July 2026, no achievement had been recorded against either target. The lack of progress is particularly significant given the importance of irrigation to livelihoods in Balochistan, where agriculture and livestock remain major sources of income for many communities. Restoring damaged irrigation networks is also critical to rebuilding economic activity in areas affected by the 2022 floods. Financing constraints add pressure Financial challenges are adding another layer of difficulty to implementation. The project has a revised allocation of approximately $214.03 million under the IDA-73330 facility. Of this amount, around $113.97 million, equivalent to 62.61%, has been disbursed, while approximately $68.05 million remains undisbursed. In addition, a separate $32 million IDA-78980 facility remains completely undisbursed. The financing position means authorities have both resources and time constraints to manage as they seek to accelerate implementation. Bridging funding gaps for eligible beneficiaries and ensuring timely utilisation of available financing will be crucial to maintaining momentum during the remaining project period. Grievances and communication concerns The World Bank has also highlighted unresolved grievances and communication shortcomings as risks to the housing component. For a project involving thousands of flood-affected households, effective communication is essential to ensure beneficiaries understand eligibility criteria, payment arrangements, construction requirements and complaint-resolution procedures. Unresolved grievances could not only delay implementation but also create dissatisfaction among communities that expected assistance following the 2022 floods. Authorities will therefore need to strengthen communication channels and grievance mechanisms alongside accelerating physical reconstruction. Limited time remains The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project is scheduled to close on December 31, 2028.