Panel to review WASA’s bailout request

Sources say Punjab govt may be convinced to release at least Rs300 million to the agency

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has formed a panel to scrutinise a request from the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) of Rawalpindi to provide it with an Rs610 million bailout.

In this regard, a fresh summary seeking funds has been sent to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday by Wasa Chairman Tariq Murtaza.

Earlier, the Punjab government had rejected a similar summary for granting a bailout, stating that it has already released adequate funds to the agency in the past. However, lawmakers from Rawalpindi intervened and personally requested Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to review the issue.

Sources say the Punjab government is now reviewing the matter again that it may be convinced to release at least Rs300 million to the agency

Based on the personal requests of the lawmakers and given the fresh summary, Lahore has formed a special committee to review the agency’s demands. The committee will include two lawmakers from the garrison city, including Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Narcotics Control Sheikh Rashid Shafique and Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

Confirming the developments, Shafique said that he had spoken with the chief minister on the matter after learning that a request from Wasa officials for financial support had been turned down.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2020.