Shahbaz to ensure pure drinking water for all

*CM stresses Saaf Pani Project to be completed as soon as possible

Provision of clean drinking water to the citizens is the responsibility of the government, said Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a high level meeting regarding the Saaf Pani Project on Wednesday.

Shahbaz said that the Saaf Pani Project is of vital importance as it is directly linked with the health of the masses. He said that members of national and provincial assembly, Pakistan Muslim League-N office-bearers, government officers concerned and authorities of the Punjab Saaf Pani Company should move forward with mutual consultation and spare no effort for the success of the project.

He said that in the first phase such areas be given priority where underground water is substandard. He said that arrangements should be made for operating water filtration plants with solar energy and the project should be implemented expeditiously and in a transparent manner. He said that the Punjab Saaf Pani Company should be run on the model of the Solar Power Company. He said that community participation is of vital importance for the success of the project.

The chief minister further directed that an effective monitoring system be evolved for the implementation of the Saaf Pani Project. He also issued instructions for finalising the regulatory model till the next meeting and said that mutual coordination between rural water supply schemes and the Saaf Pani Project is of vital importance.

The CM also issued instructions for setting up of a committee headed by Punjab minister for housing and directed that it should submit recommendations regarding mutual coordination between rural water supply schemes and the Saaf Pani Project. He directed the Punjab Information Technology Board to prepare a digital dashboard regarding water supply schemes so that authentic data could be available.

Shahbaz also set up a committee for fixing priorities with regard to installation of water filtration plants.