Zero Tolerance Policy on Drain Cleaning, Manhole Covering Announced Across Punjab

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Housing and Urban Development Bilal Yasin has announced a zero tolerance policy for drain cleaning and manhole covering across the province, emphasizing strict accountability for officials failing to meet performance standards.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting at the WASA Headquarters, chaired by the minister. Director General WASA Punjab Tayyab Fareed and Managing Directors of WASAs from all districts participated via video link.
The minister directed uniform implementation of machinery and staff uniforms across all WASA departments by the end of the current month. He made it clear that officers demonstrating unsatisfactory performance “have no place in the system.”
Bilal Yasin said that monitoring of manhole covers has been strengthened and dedicated teams have been established in all districts to ensure zero complaints from the public. Real-time data on project progress under the Punjab Development Programme will be uploaded to dashboards to track timely completion.
Highlighting the scale of development, the minister noted that, for the first time in Punjab’s history, billions of rupees have been allocated for drainage and clean water supply projects. He stressed that public inconvenience must be minimized during construction works, routes should remain clear, and standard operating procedures strictly followed.
Bilal Yasin further announced that he will personally visit all districts starting the following day to monitor performance from the field and ensure effective implementation of directives.