WASA consumers get e-billing facility

Official says system will be operational within next two days

RAWALPINDI:

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) inked an agreement on Tuesday with the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) to provide an e-billing facility to its customers.

Under the agreement, WASA Rawalpindi customers will be able to deposit water and sewerage bills through all microfinance applications powered by NADRA e-facility, which includes Jazz Cash, Easy Paisa, Mobi Cash, U Paisa etc.

Earlier, water and sewerage bills were being collected, but complaints were received from consumers that they were sent bills despite paying them off. According to a WASA official, the main reason was that there was no direct contract between WASA Rawalpindi and NADRA e-facility and WASA customers had to depend on private franchises that despite receiving money from customers were not depositing the amount into the WASA's account.

He added that now an agreement has been signed between WASA Rawalpindi and NADRA e-facility to address the complaints of the customers. WASA Managing Director, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and NADRA E-Facility Department Head, Muhammad Irfan Anwar signed the agreement. The system will be operational within the next two days.

WASA’s managing director said that today's agreement was crucial for the convenience of WASA customers and now customers can easily pay their bills from home or through any microfinance bank and the amount will be deposited directly into the WASA's account.