A new World Bank report has placed Pakistan among the top five nations most affected by climate-driven extreme weather events, warning that outdated infrastructure and poor road maintenance practices are leaving the economy dangerously exposed.
Titled “Evidence-based Targeting of Infrastructure Investments,” the report highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in rural areas where 62% of Pakistan’s population faces limited access to essential services. It criticizes current road maintenance methods—often based on subjective visual inspections—and notes that provincial budgets fall short, covering only 20–30% of what’s needed.
The 2022 floods, which displaced 8 million people and destroyed over 13,000 km of roads, underscore the need for smarter, multi-sectoral investment strategies. The World Bank calls for modern engineering standards, better asset management, and evidence-based planning to bridge accessibility gaps and build resilience.