LAHORE: The Punjab government’s WASH Sector Development Plan 2014-2024 will achieve 100 per cent piped water coverage and 82 per cent sewerage and drainage in cities and towns, while 65 per cent piped water coverage and 70 per cent sewerage and drainage in rural areas during the next 10 years.
This was stated by Punjab Planning & Development Member Muhammad Hassan Iqbal, while addressing the dissemination ceremony of Punjab Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Sector Development Plan 2014-24 jointly organised by UNICEF Punjab and Planning & Development Department at the P&D Complex.
Hassan Iqbal said that the government has intensified its efforts to provide people with safe drinking water through various initiatives especially in rural and underserved areas. He said the government aims to eliminate open defection in the next 3-4 years in addition to installation of wastewater treatment plants.
He emphasised that the sector plan would be fully implemented and every effort would be made to achieve the strategic goals and actions enunciated in the document. “All initiatives in the province with the support of donors and sector partners shall be aligned with this plan, and a due emphasis will be laid to strengthen the coordination and performance management,” he added. He appreciated the technical and financial support of UNICEF in development of the sector plan through Avicenna Consulting (Pvt) Ltd.
UNICEF Punjab Chief Douglas G Higgins lauded the efforts of Punjab government for the socio-economic development of the province. “Punjab was the first province to develop a WASH sector plan in line with Pakistan’s commitment made at the high level meeting in Washington in 2014,” he added.
