Islamabad, Pakistan, 23 April 2025 – A team of co-financiers of the “Mohmand Dam and Hydropower Project (MDHP)” embarked on a supervision mission to get a first-hand account of the progress of the project.

The mission took place in Pakistan from 21-23 April 2025 comprising representatives, from Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), alongside representatives from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), and the OPEC Fund for International Development, all members of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG).

The IsDB was represented by Operations Team Leader, Mr. Oussema Trigui and Project Management Specialist Mr. Tolga Yakar from the IsDB Group Regional Hub in Ankara. 

The members of the mission were welcomed by H.E. Mr. Sajid Manzoor Asadi, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Economic Affairs - Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and IsDB Alternate Governor for Pakistan and were hosted by Lt. Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd.), Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to discuss the progress of the project and the main upcoming milestones during the implementation of the project.

MDHP is considered a strategic development project for Pakistan, especially that it is to provide economic opportunities in a region where socio-economic conditions are difficult. This multi-purpose dam, that will create a water reservoir for drinkable water, irrigation and hydro-electric power generation, is one of two projects that the Supreme Court of Pakistan requested the Government to construct after the devastating 2010 floods which touched the country.

Despite encountering unforeseen challenges — including restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 floods, and flash flooding in 2024—MDHP reached a major milestone with the successful diversion of the Swat River in August 2024. The centuries-old river course was rerouted through a 15-meter-wide tunnel, enabling the commencement and acceleration of dam foundation and embankment works.

The project's centerpiece is the construction of the world’s fifth tallest Concrete-Faced Rockfill Dam (CFRD), with a crest length of 716 meters and a maximum height of 213 meters. The dam will form a reservoir with a total storage capacity of 1.6 billion cubic meters, supporting hydropower generation via four Francis turbines of 200 MW each. It will also provide enhanced irrigation to existing and new command areas, supply drinking water to the city of Peshawar, and serve as a key flood mitigation measure.

As of the end of March 2025, the project has achieved 40% physical progress. Completed works include several access roads, diversion tunnels, the WAPDA residential colony, and significant advancements in the construction of irrigation tunnels and the spillway.

During the joint visit, all co-financiers expressed satisfaction with the completion of the diversion milestone and the need to accelerate tasks to make up for the delays incurred due to recurrent unforeseen events. They also acknowledged the proactive coordination by the Islamic Development Bank affirming their continued commitment to close collaboration to ensure the project’s timely and high-quality implementation.