Centre ropes in EU to fix Karachi's gutters

Pakistan, European Investment Bank sign declaration to advance sewage water project

KARACHI:

The government of Pakistan and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a declaration to advance a major project aimed at improving sewage and wastewater management in Karachi, said a statement issued on Wednesday.

The agreement formalises 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, the initiative is expected to significantly expand safe water supply and strengthen water security for the city's rapidly growing population.

The declaration was signed on the sidelines of the 15th Pakistan-EU Joint Commission, held in Brussels from 15-17 December 2025, by Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim, and Head of Division (Asia Pacific), EIB, Edvardas Bumsteinas, the communiqué read. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General, DG INTPA (European Commission); Ambassador of Pakistan to the EU Rahim Hayat Qureshi; Head of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, Raimundas Karoblis and Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director, European External Action Service (EEAS).