Punjab Reviews Progress of Clean Drinking Water Projects

By Dr Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Punjab government has conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing clean drinking water projects aimed at protecting citizens from the harmful effects of contaminated water, officials said on Wednesday.
The review was carried out during a high-level meeting held on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif and chaired by Secretary Housing Punjab Noor-ul-Amin Mengal. The meeting assessed the progress and implementation status of province-wide clean water initiatives.
Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Saaf Pani Authority, Captain Ali Asghar, provided a detailed briefing on the projects. He informed participants that the installation of water filtration plants is currently underway in areas affected by arsenic-contaminated and polluted groundwater.
In addition, surface water treatment plants are being installed at the Dharabi, Miroval, and Phalina dams, while work is also in progress on the establishment of modern water bottling plants in Khushab, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rahim Yar Khan.
According to a spokesperson, the first phase of the projects is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2026, enabling the provision of safe drinking water to more than 29 million people across the province.
Under the initiative, clean drinking water will be supplied through 19-liter water bottles, while filtration plants are also being installed in government buildings, including schools, religious seminaries, mosques, and police stations.
The spokesperson said the installation of filtration plants in government facilities is expected to significantly reduce theft incidents, while the introduction of a modern SCADA system will ensure effective and automated monitoring of the projects.
The government is further expanding the clean water project network across Punjab, with efforts accelerated on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to ensure timely completion and effective implementation, the spokesperson added.