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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs3.8b wastewater project back on track
Waste flows into a pond from several pipelines. Photo: Express After over a year and a half of legal battles, procedural delays, and scrutiny by multiple government bodies, the long-awaited Rs3.845 billion sewerage and wastewater management project in Jaranwala is finally under way. The project, regarded as a significant step toward meeting climate resilience goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the UN and the Government of Pakistan for 2030, is being executed by the Municipal Committee (MC) Jaranwala. According to official sources, the comprehensive project includes the rehabilitation of municipal services, construction of roads and chowks, upgrading drainage systems, laying of a new sewerage network, and the establishment of a wastewater treatment plant. Additional components include the provision of liquid waste machinery, solid waste management equipment, model street development, rehabilitation of parks and green belts, and the installation of a disaster management system. An MC officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the project had initially faced severe controversy. Disputes arose during the tendering process when technical and financial bids were invited simultaneously. Only one firm was declared technically qualified, leading other bidders to challenge the decision in lower courts, the Lahore High Court, and various government institutions including the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC), Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Faisalabad. Despite PMDFC's recommendation to include all bidders and the World Bank's intervention through its task team leader, MC Jaranwala proceeded with opening the bids in March and April 2024. The PPRA called for procurement records, which were not provided, resulting in the cancellation of the tendering process. The Lahore High Court also issued a stay on the proceedings during this period. Last year, similar concerns from the World Bank led the Punjab Local Government Department to suspend two key officials of MC Jaranwala, including the chief officer, over procurement irregularities. These setbacks delayed the project and deprived over 1.5 million residents of essential water and sanitation facilities. However, Assistant Commissioner and Administrator MC Jaranwala, Rangzeb Goraya, confirmed that the project is now progressing smoothly. "Civil works have resumed. Key components like the parking shed, several roads and chowks, liquid waste machinery supply, and desilting of sewerage lines have already been completed in record time," he stated. Goraya also disclosed that five new PC-1s for complementary projects — including model streets, road rehabilitation, and solarization of disposal stations — have been finalized.
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
66 cities of Punjab to be uplifted in new financial year
LAHORE: Under the Chief Minister Cities Development Programme, the Punjab government has decided to launch development schemes in 66 cities of Punjab in the new financial year. Under this programme, all dirt roads will be paved or repaired, along with the construction and repair of connection roads, and a comprehensive sewage system will be introduced. Moreover, disposal stations will be solarised while sewerage problems will be solved by keeping in mind the needs of the population in 2050. In addition to rainwater drainage, storage tanks will also be built, and restoration of parks will also be included in the project. In this connection, the copies of PC-1 have been sent to the relevant municipal bodies. In this regard, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq issued instructions while chairing a meeting through a video link on Thursday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Additional Secretary Ahmar Kaifi, PMDFC MD and Deputy Commissioners of various districts participated. The Minister directed the concerned deputy commissioners to keep the model of the Lahore Development Programme in mind while working on the development schemes. He clarified that there will be no additional recruitment for the Cities Development Programme except for technical experts, and thus, only the available human resources will be utilised. 'The Punjab Local Government Department will complete this mega project in collaboration with Public Health Engineering,' he added. Rafiq said that in the next phase, 110 more cities will be included in the programme; in every city, all dirt roads will be paved or repaired, along with the construction and repair of connection roads, and a comprehensive sewage system will be introduced. 'In this connection, the copies of PC-1 have been sent to the relevant municipal bodies,' he added. He said the deputy commissioners have also been made members of the steering committee. He observed that in the past, only partial schemes were completed in cities; however, for the first time, an end-to-end solution for sanitation will be provided. He directed that transparency should be taken care of while implementing the project on the timeline. On this occasion, the Secretary said that e-tendering and digital payment methods should be implemented in the programme. He directed that before the construction of the streets, sui gas, electricity companies and cable network institutions should complete their work. 'After the completion of the work,' he warned, 'digging will be prohibited without the NOC of the district administration.' He said the use of safe and durable sewer pipes is the highlight of this program, adding that the benefits of HTP-lined sewer pipes will last for the next 100 years. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM forms body to oversee Punjab cities' uplift programme
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has formed a provincial steering committee headed by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq to oversee the cities development programme. Among the other members are Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Zeeshan Malik and Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian. The steering committee established at the provincial level will also take necessary decisions in consultation with the local elected representatives while the steering committee in each district will also work under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner. Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq's disclosed this during his visit to the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) to review the progress on the programme on Monday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Additional Secretary Ahmar Sohail Kaifi were also present. On this occasion, PMDFC MD Syed Zahid Aziz gave a briefing on the cities development programme. On this occasion, he said the survey for development works has been completed in all the small and big cities of the 35 districts of Punjab. 'This is another mega project of the Punjab government, under which the construction and repair of sewerage, drainage, rainwater storage, parks and streets in urban areas will be completed, while the drainage system will be converted to solar energy,' he added. He observed that the chief minister is following the province's policy of uniform development; in the first phase, 59 cities will be upgraded, and in the second phase, 110 cities will be upgraded. He averred that the project which is devised with the support of the World Bank will end the problems of basic services in cities that have been going missing for years. 'The chief minister has ordered the completion of the project in 50 cities by next year. The PMDFC should complete the PC-1 of each city during the current month, and the steering committee established at the provincial level will also take necessary decisions in consultation with the local elected representatives,' he added. He averred that a drainage by-system is being introduced in every city for the first time, laying special sewer lines will protect groundwater from possible contamination. On this occasion, the secretary, while directing to keep in mind the model of Lahore Development Programme, said that most of the available human resources will be utilised for the cities development programme and only new recruitment will be made for essential posts. He expressed his determination that the entire project will be completed within two years, which will meet the municipal needs of the cities for the next 25 years. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab to lay concrete sewer liners in all cities
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that they have decided to lay a concrete protection liner for sewer lines for the first time in small and big cities for the smooth functioning of the sewer. 'Laying a pipeline of at least 30 inches will help resolve frequent complaints of sewer blockages,' he said while presiding over a meeting held here on Monday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul and Additional Secretary Development Ahmer Kaifi were also present. On this occasion, Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz briefed the meeting on the progress of the Chief Minister's Punjab Cities Development Programme. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that internationally renowned companies manufacturing concrete protection liners should transfer their technology to Pakistan. 'The entire country, along with Punjab, will benefit from the development of large sewer pipelines in Pakistan. The relevant companies will be invited to set up concrete liner plants in Punjab,' he added. 'Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered to solve the municipal problems of 169 cities. A rainwater storage and sewage bypass plan is being prepared for each city for the first time. Due to the bypass system, the polluted sewage water will not mix with the groundwater,' he said. He directed the PMDFC to remove technical shortcomings within two days in the presentation, saying that PC-1 of 59 cities should be completed by May next month, adding that state-of-the-art schemes will be executed in the remaining 110 cities soon. He expressed his determination that the municipal needs of all cities would be met for the next 50 years. 'Rehabilitation of streets, solarisation of the drainage system and preparation of green areas are also part of this project,' he added. Moreover, he hoped that with the cooperation of the World Bank, a beautiful face of Punjab would emerge with the completion of this mega project. On this occasion, the Punjab Local Government Secretary directed that the life of each sewer should be from 50 to 100 years. 'Special care should be taken that the sewer lines that are laid should not be affected by any other scheme in the future. The major problem of cities is the poor sewer system, and that is our focus. We will ensure the completion of all schemes within the timeframe set by the Chief Minister,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs400b water, sewerage project launched
The Punjab government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has initiated a Rs400 billion project to improve water supply and sewerage systems in 80 small cities across the province. The plan aims to provide these cities with modern sanitation facilities, similar to those in major urban centres such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan. Currently, Punjab's water and sewerage services are largely limited to five major cities where WASA (Water and Sanitation Agency) operates. This leaves many smaller urban areas struggling with inadequate sanitation and drinking water facilities. Recognising the urgent need for improvement, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken action to extend these essential services to 80 more cities. The project will be financed through a combination of World Bank funding for 20 cities and Punjab government allocations for the remaining 60. The initiative is expected to be completed within two years. To ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability, the Punjab government has established the Punjab Water Sanitation Authority. This newly formed body will oversee the expansion of WASA services beyond the five existing cities. It will also regulate and approve the creation of additional WASA agencies where needed. The authority will be chaired by the chief minister or a designated representative, with senior officials including the Chairman of the Planning & Development Board, Secretaries of Finance, Housing, and Local Government, and MD WASA. Additionally, four technical experts will be part of the governing body, and a Director General will act as the authority's secretary. The Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) and the Local Government and Community Development Department have been tasked with designing and planning the project. The government has set a deadline of February 30 for finalizing the master plan, ensuring that the infrastructure meets the needs of growing urban populations for at least the next 20 years. The project covers cities with populations exceeding 100,000, including Kasur, Sheikhupura, Chiniot, Sargodha, Jhang, Rahim Yar Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Bhakkar, Attock, and many more. So far, planning for 55 cities has been completed, while surveys are ongoing in the remaining areas. These cities will see significant upgrades in their water supply networks and sewerage systems, addressing longstanding sanitation issues that have affected public health and urban living standards. Once completed, the initiative will greatly reduce waterborne diseases and improve the overall quality of life for millions of residents. Speaking about the project, CEO PMDFC Syed Zahid Aziz highlighted the Chief Minister's commitment to improving urban infrastructure. "CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif is determined to provide equal facilities to both major and smaller cities. This Rs400 billion initiative will revolutionise water and sanitation services across Punjab," he said. WASA MD Ghufran Ahmed emphasised that the creation of the Punjab Water Sanitation Authority is a crucial step toward resolving sanitation challenges across the province. "This authority will not only manage water and sewerage services in big cities but also ensure smaller towns receive the same standard of services," he explained.
