LAHORE, May 2: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Changez Khan Jamali has said that only 20 per cent of drinking water is clean in the country while 80 per cent is not up to the standard which is an alarming situation.

Talking to reporters during a visit to Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) regional office on Monday, the minister said, “We are focusing on raising awareness in the general public and trying to improve in the quality of water.

“The government is trying to evolve a strategy by creating coordination among government institutions and provinces so that clean drinking water can be available to the common man through its 26 labs in the country.”

He said that chlorine tablets manufactured by the PCSIR which cleaned contaminated water would be provided to people.

“A pack of the tablets will be available for Rs75 which is enough for one month for an average family,” he added.

Earlier, the minister visited labs in the PCRWR regional office and was briefed about its functioning by Regional Director Zameer Ahmed Soomro. APP