Latest news with #WASA
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
WASA Lahore secures biggest budget share
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore has emerged as the primary beneficiary in Punjab's development outlay for the water and sanitation sector in fiscal year 2025-26, securing the lion's share of funds under the Annual Development Programme (ADP). According to the budget document presented by Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman in the Punjab Assembly, a total of 94 ongoing schemes worth Rs58.13 billion have been allocated across five WASA agencies. Of these, Lahore alone accounts for 59 projects with an estimated cost of Rs24.83 billion, highlighting a sharp imbalance in the distribution of development funds. The remaining four agencies — Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, and Rawalpindi — have been allocated a combined total of only 35 schemes valued at Rs33.29 billion. Critics have pointed to this disparity as a sign of systemic neglect toward cities outside the provincial capital. In terms of new schemes, WASA Lahore again topped the list with 24 new initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year. WASA Gujranwala received only two new projects — valued at Rs5.9 billion and Rs1.51 billion respectively — with budgeted allocations of just Rs.122 million and Rs.13 million for the next year. Despite submitting hundreds of new proposals, agencies such as WASA Multan, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi were left out of the new development portfolio altogether. Senior officials from these agencies, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the exclusion, warning that millions of residents, especially in Faisalabad — the textile hub of Pakistan — will remain deprived of clean drinking water. For ongoing projects, WASA Faisalabad received funding for 17 schemes worth Rs19.5 billion, while WASA Multan secured four schemes totalling Rs5.17 billion, and WASA Rawalpindi was granted five projects amounting to Rs6.38 billion. However, actual fund allocations for 2025-26 remain meagre: Rs126 million for Faisalabad, Rs365 million for Multan, and Rs.166 million for Rawalpindi — figures that stakeholders say are insufficient to meaningfully advance the existing work.
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PPP leader accuses Punjab govt of neglecting southern Punjab in budget
LAHORE: Parliamentary Leader of Pakistan People's Party in Central Punjab Syed Ali Haider Gillani on Friday strongly protested against the recent budget, accusing the government of discriminatory treatment towards South Punjab. He demanded that female members of the assembly should also be given due representation in budget allocations. Expressing concern over the conditions in Multan during speaking in Punjab assembly session, Gilani stated that despite being a major city of South Punjab with a population exceeding 5 million, its residents are forced to drink contaminated water due to the lack of clean water supply. Gillani also criticized the allocation of only Rs. 123 billion for the agriculture and livestock sectors, calling it an injustice to farmers. He demanded the formation of a committee to investigate the alleged unfair distribution of funds in the budget for South Punjab. He expressed confidence that South Punjab would soon become a separate province. Highlighting disparities, Gillani pointed out that Multan's water authority (WASA) received not a single rupee this year, forcing residents to consume toxic water, while Lahore WASA was allocated 147 billion rupees. Punjab Assembly Speaker Muhammad Ahmad Khan expressed regret over the opposition's protest during the session, stating that Operation Leader and other members damaged the House's microphone, misled the media, and baselessly blamed the Speaker. He warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the damage, and a committee would be formed to investigate the incident. The Speaker also cautioned that legal action would be taken against any member found disrespecting the Finance Minister. He emphasised that the assembly is the members' home and urged unity among lawmakers. The Punjab Assembly session began one hour and 56 minutes late under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan. Shortly after the session started, the issue of a broken microphone arose. The Speaker expressed strong displeasure with Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, stating, 'I am deeply disappointed that you accused us of breaking the microphone. I am a principled man and will never tolerate such allegations. An inquiry will be conducted, and action will be taken against those found responsible. If the microphone was damaged due to the ruckus and hooliganism by your members, they will be held accountable. From now on, I will ensure the Assembly proceedings are strictly rule-based. You must decide how you wish to proceed.' The Speaker also addressed other incidents, saying, 'I have formed an inquiry committee regarding the allegations against Bilal Yamin. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
WASA to set up monsoon camps
Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Managing Director Sohail Qadir Cheema has directed the relevant officers to establish monsoon relief camps throughout the city within next three days. After taking over charge of his office, the MD took a briefing about the performance of the agency and highlighted the importance of preparedness ahead of the upcoming rainy season. He said WASA staff must be present in full uniform with raincoats and boots, while all necessary equipment should be available at each camp. He said all disposal stations must be fully operational with maximum capacity and contingency plans for uninterrupted operation in case of power outages. He said WASA should provide uninterrupted and high-quality drainage and water supply services during the monsoon season, adding that all available resources would be utilised to achieve the goal. The MD said he would conduct surprise visits to the relief camps after three days to ensure compliance and readiness. He also stressed the need to boost revenue recovery and said the monthly bill distribution must not face any delays or gaps. He said special attention should be given to recovering WASA dues from the areas with outstanding payments through comprehensive surveys. He also issued instructions for daily testing of drinking water to ensure its quality. He called for expedited progress on foreign-funded development projects, including the Eastern Wastewater Treatment Plant and French Surface Water Treatment Plant.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Water, sanitation network expanded to 10 cities
In a move to improve clean drinking water and sewerage services across Punjab, the Housing Department has approved the establishment of 10 new Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) in various cities. These include Hafizabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Jhelum, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Okara, Bahawalpur, Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan. The relevant authorities have been instructed to appoint managing directors for the newly proposed agencies. The announcement came during an emergency visit by Punjab Secretary for Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Noorul Amin Mengal to the WASA headquarters in Faisalabad. He chaired a high-level meeting attended by FDA Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry, WASA Managing Director Aamir Aziz, DG PHA Dilawar Khan, and other officials, where an extensive review of ongoing development schemes, sewerage improvements, and clean water supply projects was conducted. Mengal emphasised the Punjab chief minister's personal commitment to ensuring the availability of clean drinking water and modern sewerage infrastructure for the public. He said projects worth Rs150 billion are currently being executed under WASA's supervision and assured that their progress and quality will be closely monitored by the department. To ensure transparency and high standards, Quality Assurance Committees are being formed and special monitoring cells will oversee the technical aspects of all ongoing projects. Mengal issued directives to prioritise public convenience during development work by avoiding unnecessary excavations and ensuring prompt restoration of affected areas to minimise disruption to daily life. The housing secretary made it clear that negligence, malpractice, or delays in project execution will not be tolerated and that strict departmental action will be taken against those found responsible.
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Punjab Ombudsman secures Rs40.96m relief for citizens
LAHORE: On the directives of the Office of Ombudsman Punjab, a total relief of Rs40.958 million was provided to 36 citizens in response to complaints regarding WASA billing corrections, property area disputes, and sewerage system issues across various districts. According to a statement issued on Thursday, 18 complainants received relief amounting to Rs1.377 million after raising concerns over errors in WASA bills and discrepancies in property measurements. Through the Ombudsman's mediation, 12 complaints related to sewerage line blockages were addressed, with repair work carried out at a cost of Rs13.9 million. In a separate case in Nankana Sahib, a land area measuring 31 kanals - valued at Rs14.5 million - was rectified following a citizen's complaint. Meanwhile, repair work on a park in Lahore was completed at an expense of Rs2.635 million. Furthermore, Rs600,000 was spent on the de-silting of a drain in Nawabpur, Sargodha, while three drinking water supply schemes were completed at a cost of Rs7.946 million. Complainants expressed gratitude to the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab for its timely intervention and effective resolution of their issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
