ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: The government has finalized a plan to provide clean drinking water to the people by establishing 106 purification plants in all districts of the country.

Official sources said 34 plants would be set up in Punjab, 21 in Sindh, 24 in the NWFP, 26 in Balochistan and one in Islamabad.

The objective is to provide water purification plants of 2000 gallons per hour capacity consisting various stages, including pre-filtration, filtration, purification and ultra-violet disinfection.

Provincial governments and local government departments in the provinces will identify places where these plants are to be located. However, preference will be given to areas of low income, areas where studies have proved sub-standard water quality, and areas which are under stress due to short supply of water or where the availability of water has declined.

Also, areas where the community is ready to share the capital, operational and maintenance cost will be considered.

Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (the ministry of environment) has sought Rs 104 million to undertake the "Clean Drinking Water Initiative" project across Pakistan.