IFC to support water reforms in capital

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, signed on Friday an agreement for the technical assistance to the Islamabad Water Agency for a range of projects to be implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

The ceremony was attended by Federal Secretary for Interior, Muhammad Khurram Agha; Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa; Member Planning and Design, Dr Khalid Hafiz; the IFC Regional Director; and other senior officials from CDA's Islamabad Water Agency and the IFC.

The IFC will extend its Transaction Advisory Services for three water and sewerage-related projects in Islamabad. Prior in-principle approval for the execution of these projects under the PPP model has already been granted by the CDA Board and the Public-Private Partnership Board.

The procurement of Transaction Advisory Services for the completion of these Islamabad Water projects under the PPP arrangement is being carried out in accordance with the relevant rules and procedures. Upon completion, these projects are expected to significantly address long-standing issues relating to the water supply and sewerage system in the Federal Capital.

Key components of the projects include enhancing the supply of potable water, the installation of water meters, and the reduction of non-revenue water in Islamabad. Additionally, measures aimed at improving the energy efficiency of water pumps, as well as the repair and rehabilitation of sewerage lines — including sewage treatment plants — form an integral part of the initiative.