Punjab expands WASA to three more cities

The Punjab government has approved the establishment of Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA) in three additional cities — including the prominent tourist destination, Murree — bringing the total number of WASA agencies across the province to 18.

Previously, WASA was operational in five major cities of Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala. Last month, the provincial government expanded the initiative by establishing WASA offices in 10 more cities to enhance sewage, drainage, water supply, and urban beautification systems. These cities included Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Sahiwal, Jhelum, Bahawalpur, Okara, Rahim Yar Khan, Sialkot, and Jhang.

Under the latest decision, WASA agencies will also be set up in Murree, Sheikhupura, and the newly created Gujrat Division. In the second phase of implementation, notifications have been issued for the appointment of Managing Directors (MDs) to oversee the newly formed agencies.

Jawad Kaleem has been appointed as WASA MD Dera Ghazi Khan Khan, Azizullah Khan, WASA MD Sargodha, Sohail Aslam Sidhu, WASA MD Hafizabad, Saulat Raza, WASA MD Jhang, Tanveer Qaiser, WASA MD Sahiwal, Kashan Hafeez Butt, WASA MD Jhelum, Ameer Ashraf, WASA MD Bahawalpur, Abdul Waheed WASA MD Okara, Shoaib Fayaz WASA MD Rahim Yar Khan, and Abu Bakar Imran has been appointed as WASA MD Sialkot. The appointments for WASA MDs in Murree, Sheikhupura, and Gujrat are expected to be announced next week.

With this expansion, WASA authorities are now functional in three cities within the Rawalpindi Division — Rawalpindi, Murree, and Jhelum.

Additionally, 18 Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHA) will be established in these districts to support urban beautification and environmental development.

Through the coordinated efforts of WASA and PHA, comprehensive infrastructure projects will be implemented focusing on clean water supply, improved drainage, sanitation, and beautification initiatives.

Punjab's Minister for Housing, Bilal Yasin, remarked that the establishment of WASA and PHA in major cities would not only enhance the region's aesthetic appeal by adding more greenery and fruit-bearing trees, but would also ensure the provision of safe drinking water and significantly upgrade wastewater management systems.