Pakistan and EIB sign €60 million statement for Karachi drainage project

• The agreement formalizes the financing of the water infrastructure framework.
• As part of the project, basic sewage treatment facilities will be built.
• The signing of the declaration underlines the momentum of Pakistan-EU cooperation.

Pakistan and the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Wednesday signed a €60 million statement to promote a major project aimed at improving sewage and sewage management in Karachi.

The statement was signed on the sidelines of the 15th Pakistan-EU Joint Committee, held in Brussels from December 15 to 17, by Finance Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim and European Investment Bank (EIB) Head of Division (Asia Pacific) Edvardas Bumsteinas.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Director General of the European Commission for International Cooperation Myriam Ferran, the Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union Rahim Hayat Qureshi, the Head of the EU Delegation to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis and the Deputy Director General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni.

The agreement formalized EIB financing for the Karachi Water Infrastructure Framework project which will support the rehabilitation and construction of key water treatment facilities in Karachi.

With an EIB financing package of approximately €60 million, this initiative is set to significantly expand the supply of safe water and enhance water security for Karachi’s rapidly growing population.

The project reflects Pakistan’s commitment to modernizing essential urban services and promoting climate-resilient infrastructure in one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas.

Speaking at the signing, Karim welcomed the EIB’s increased engagement in Pakistan and underlined the importance of deepening cooperation with European partners to address critical development and infrastructure needs.

He expressed his appreciation for the growing footprint of the EIB in Pakistan and expressed Pakistan’s interest in expanding the pipeline of EIB-supported projects in priority areas.

The signing demonstrates the continued momentum in Pakistan-EU cooperation and highlights shared priorities in sustainable development, public service delivery and climate and environmental resilience.