Pakistan Unveils National Data Governance Policy
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Punjab plans wastewater treatment plants in every city, alongside major upgrades to water supply, sewerage and sanitation infrastructure.
The Government of Punjab has announced plans to establish wastewater treatment plants in every city as part of a province-wide programme to modernise water supply, sewerage and sanitation infrastructure.
The announcement was made by Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb during the Punjab Assembly’s budget session. She said the initiative is aimed at improving environmental sustainability, strengthening public health and upgrading ageing civic infrastructure across the province.
According to the minister, the government is replacing underground water supply and sewerage pipelines that have been in service for more than 70 years. The infrastructure programme spans 84 cities and includes the installation of new sewerage systems, underground water storage tanks and recharge wells to help strengthen groundwater resources.
Aurangzeb said the expansion of wastewater treatment facilities forms a central part of the government’s strategy to improve urban water management and support sustainable development as cities continue to grow.
She also highlighted progress in strengthening municipal services across Punjab. Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA) are now operational in 41 districts, while more than 1,500 machines have been provided to local government institutions to improve waste management, sanitation and other municipal operations.
In addition to wastewater infrastructure, the provincial government is implementing clean drinking water projects worth Rs42 billion in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur and surrounding areas. Around 5,800 water filtration plants are already operational across Punjab, providing access to cleaner drinking water for communities.
The minister also announced that the Sargodha Cardiology Hospital is expected to be inaugurated during the first week of July following the completion of construction and equipment installation.
As part of the province’s rural development efforts, Aurangzeb said the government’s model villages programme will improve water supply, sewerage and sanitation services in approximately 2,400 villages, extending infrastructure upgrades beyond urban centres.
The wastewater treatment initiative reflects Punjab’s broader focus on strengthening essential public infrastructure while addressing environmental and public health challenges associated with urbanisation. Officials say the programme aims to improve water resource management, modernise ageing utility networks and enhance the quality of life for residents through more reliable and sustainable municipal services.
The government views the expansion of wastewater treatment and water infrastructure as a long-term investment in environmental resilience, improved public health and sustainable urban development across the province.
