Punjab releases Rs2 billion for WASAs

Seed money provides temporary financial relief to new agencies

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government has approved Rs2 billion in seed money for the establishment and initial operations of 36 newly created Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) across the province, providing temporary financial relief to the new agencies.

However, their establishment may become difficult if the entire required funding is not released at the beginning of the new year in January.

Due to a severe financial crisis, an amount lower than the actual requirement has been approved. Each WASA was supposed to receive Rs200 million immediately, but the required funds are not currently available. Had the immediate release of these funds not been approved, all 36 agencies would have faced the risk of closure soon after their establishment. The Punjab Finance Department has issued a formal notification approving the provision of funds to the newly established WASAs during the financial year 2026-27.

According to a letter issued by the Finance Department, Rs2 billion will be provided to the 36 newly established agencies through a technical supplementary grant.

An amount of Rs56.71 million (Rs56.71 million, or Rs5 crore 67 lakh 10 thousand) has been allocated for each WASA, while Rs42.857 million, Rs42.857 million and Rs42.856 million have been earmarked for the agencies in Talagang, Taunsa and Kot Addu, respectively.

The WASAs receiving the funds include those in Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Hafizabad, Jhang, Jhelum, Okara, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Murree, Nankana Sahib, Attock, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Chakwal, Chiniot, Kasur, Khanewal, Khushab, Wazirabad, Layyah, Lodhran, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Narowal, Pakpattan, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari, Rajanpur, Talagang, Taunsa and Kot Addu.