World Bank backs Punjab’s $400 million urban development programme for 16 cities

Profit, published by Pakistan Today, reports that the Punjab administration is running a $400 million urban development programme covering 16 cities with financial backing from the World Bank. The initiative targets water supply, sewerage, wastewater treatment and drainage, and work will initially begin in six towns: Chakwal, Kasur, Chiniot, Mandi Bahauddin, Pakpattan and Rajanpur. Delivery will run through the local Water and Sanitation Agencies, known as WASAs.

At a review meeting, Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal said the scheme would also extend to storm runoff control, subterranean water reserves and other municipal works. He instructed officials to fix measurable targets, keep to deadlines and form a monitoring committee to oversee progress. A separate World Bank technical mission, which included Task Team Leader Suhaib Rasheed and Water Specialist Carlo Alberto, visited the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company, where its managing director outlined live schemes, the appointment of consultants and purchasing procedures.

The meeting further looked at how the WASAs, the Local Government Department and other agencies work together, as well as fund management and openness in spending. The fund company said the $400 million programme would finance water, sewerage and drainage schemes across the 16 cities, while Environment Specialist Rukhsana Shahid said projects follow the bank's environmental and social safeguards. Syed Zahid Aziz pledged transparent and timely delivery in cooperation with the bank and provincial institutions.