SUKKUR: World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, accompanied by a high-level 10-member delegation, arrived in Larkana on Wednesday, where he along with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited Bhawal Jat village in Taluka Dokri, and conducted a detailed inspection of houses constructed for the flood-hit people.
During his visit, the WB president observed the community-led reconstruction of flood-hit houses and interacted with families affected by the devastating floods.
CM Shah said that with the joint support of Sindh government and the Bank, reconstruction of 145 flood-affected houses had been completed under the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) programme in the village, with 83 per cent of ownership titles granted to women. “Sindh’s women are empowered, and our government is further strengthening social inclusion through this programme,” he added.
Expressing his appreciation, Banga said he was deeply impressed by the progress on the ground. He mingled with local residents, took photographs with them and met a Sikh family from Kashmore that had travelled to Bhawal Jat to share their experience.
Banga termed the initiative the world’s first community-led housing reconstruction programme of its scale, while Shah explained that under this model, families construct their own homes, ensuring that income remains within the community. “Each house generates sustained wage employment for local labourers, directly benefiting daily wage earners.”
The chief minister informed the delegation that the Sindh government, in collaboration with development partners, was reconstructing 2.1 million houses, with major milestones already achieved. To date, over 1.55 million beneficiary bank accounts have been opened, 1.5 million houses were under construction and 750,000 units had been completed.
Banga said that since the inception of SPHF, the World Bank has extended $950 million in support, including an initial $500 million, followed by an additional $450 million. He noted that each beneficiary family receives housing assistance worth approximately $1,400, with the programme prioritising the poorest and most vulnerable households.
Shah highlighted that every beneficiary household now has access to formal banking services, and that more than one million women hold land ownership titles, with more titles to be issued as reconstruction continues. He added that 800,000 women had already received direct financial benefits, strengthening women’s economic security through cash grants and livelihood opportunities.
“Women’s ownership rights are transforming household security and strengthening local economies,” the chief minister said, a view echoed by the WB president, who noted that women’s inclusion was reinforcing household income and community resilience.
Shah said the programme’s success rests on a strong governance framework, supported by a modern Management Information System (MIS) ensuring transparency and direct fund transfers to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
He added that SPHF was being implemented through a public-private partnership model, with environmental and social safeguard experts engaged to maintain high accountability standards.
Banga emphasised that safe housing must be complemented by clean water, sanitation, nutrition, and long-term wellbeing. “This programme lays a strong foundation for human capital development and stands as a global example of how community-based recovery can generate jobs and promote social inclusion,” he said.
The chief minister further noted that each reconstructed house generates approximately 160 days of paid local employment, with nearly 25 per cent of the total project cost spent directly on wages, benefiting daily wage labourers.
CM Shah revealed that the total cost of reconstruction was estimated at Rs600 billion, of which a considerable amount had been financed by the World Bank, expressing gratitude for the Bank’s support alongside the federal government and other partners.WB President Banga addressed the ceremony in Urdu, congratulating beneficiaries on receiving ownership rights. “You are fortunate to receive ownership titles -- these are your freedoms,” he said, praising women’s resilience and the provision of clean water as major achievements.
During the visit, the WB president planted a commemorative guava sapling in Bhawal Jat. He also visited the community centre, where local women showcased traditional Sindhi handicrafts.
Both Banga and Shah later visited Mohen jo Daro, where they were received by Sindh Minister for Culture Zulfiqar Ali Shah. They toured the archaeological site via golf cart, viewed Sir John Marshall’s historic car, and attended a special cultural event featuring Sindhi music and handicrafts.Following the visit WB president Banga and CM Shah returned to Karachi.
