Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has revealed that Pakistan was unable to access nearly $11 billion in international aid that had been pledged for flood recovery in 2022.
The reason, he explained, was the lack of well-prepared and investable projects that could convince donors to release the full amount of support.
Out of the total commitments, only $2.8 billion has so far been disbursed. Major institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and China have provided partial funding, but the majority of the pledged resources remain untapped.
This shortfall has slowed down recovery efforts in flood-affected regions, leaving communities struggling to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
The minister pointed out that the failure to present credible and detailed projects made it difficult for Pakistan to fully benefit from international assistance. Donor countries and organizations require transparency, clear planning, and accountability before releasing funds, and without such frameworks, a large share of the aid has remained unused.
Aurangzeb also stressed that Pakistan continues to face serious challenges related to climate change. He warned of future flood risks due to unpredictable weather patterns and highlighted the increased flow of water from India as another growing concern.
These factors not only threaten lives and property but also place significant pressure on the country’s economy and long-term development plans.
He emphasized the urgent need for stronger project planning, climate adaptation strategies, and improved disaster management. According to him, only through better preparation and credible proposals can Pakistan secure international trust and ensure funds are directed toward protecting its people and economy.
