The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors is poised to greenlight $150 million in financing today for the “Pakistan: Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) and Sindh Barrages Improvement Project.”
An additional financing cover of approximately $72 million is expected to address the financing gap in the “Sindh Barrages Improvement Project.” The project aims to enhance the reliability and safety of the Guddu Barrage while strengthening the capacity of the Sindh Irrigation Department to manage it effectively.
With an original closing date of June 30, 2024, delays in completing the works at Guddu and Sukkur Barrages necessitate additional time beyond the project’s current timeline. The DEEP, valued at $78 million, focuses on digitally-enabled public service delivery, aiming to bridge the digital divide across Pakistan and promote broadband access.
Key initiatives include the establishment of a data exchange layer by NADRA for secure information sharing among government agencies and the provision of digital credentials to citizens for enhanced access to services. Aligned with the 2018 Digital Pakistan Policy, the project seeks to establish a comprehensive enterprise architecture and integrate government databases through e-government service portals.
