Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that, under the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Government completed all necessary arrangements well before the onset of the monsoon season to ensure that citizens face no inconvenience during heavy rains. She said the government has undertaken historic measures across the province to modernize the urban drainage system and enhance its capacity.
Azma Bokhari stated that WASA has now been established in all districts of Punjab. In the first phase, 272 pieces of modern machinery across 12 different categories have been provided to WASA operations in 15 districts. She added that, in the next phase, 694 additional machines will be supplied across the province, significantly strengthening the drainage infrastructure. According to her, this is the largest WASA development programme in Punjab’s history, aimed at ensuring efficient and timely municipal services for the public.
The provincial minister further said that construction work on 105 underground water storage tanks is progressing rapidly across Punjab. Of these, 82 tanks have already been completed, while work on the remaining 23 tanks is in its final stages. She added that 78 percent of the overall project has been completed, and the remaining storage tanks are expected to be completed within the next 11 days.
Azma Bokhari said the underground water storage project will not only improve rainwater management but will also play a significant role in enhancing groundwater recharge and strengthening long-term water conservation. She emphasized that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is not merely addressing present-day challenges but is laying the foundation for Punjab’s water storage system for the next 50 years.
She further stated that the Punjab Government is giving the highest priority to transparency and quality in all development projects, adding that no compromise will be made on construction standards. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing the people of Punjab with safe, sustainable, and modern urban infrastructure.