Islamabad (Commerce Desk): The World Bank has expressed serious concerns over the transfer of billions of rupees allocated for a housing programme for flood-affected families in Balochistan to infrastructure projects, warning that the move could further increase poverty in the province.
In a letter sent to the federal and Balochistan governments, the World Bank said the social and economic conditions of the eligible families were already extremely vulnerable. Depriving them of housing assistance would not only increase their difficulties but could also cause existing vulnerabilities to reinforce one another, worsening conditions in the future.
According to the World Bank, 84% of those eligible for the housing programme belong to extremely poor and vulnerable groups. Among them, 28% of families have a monthly income of less than $30, while 26% earn between $31 and $70. The eligible families include 39% tenants, 37% daily-wage workers and 8% small farmers.
The letter said these families have limited savings, little access to formal credit and almost no productive assets, leaving them with very limited capacity to withstand sudden economic or natural disasters.
After the decision, as of June 22, 2026, to initially limit housing assistance to 62,966 beneficiaries and retain subsidy support for 97,000 families, World Bank Country Director Bolorma Amgaabazar held meetings with the Federal Minister for Planning, the Chief Minister of Balochistan and other officials.
During the meetings, the World Bank also expressed concerns over the decision to transfer funds, as well as mechanisms for addressing potential fraud and corruption in the assistance programme.