LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said a strategy be evolved to launch ‘Saaf Pani Project’ in 18 districts of the province, instead of 12 as per earlier plan.

He said this at a meeting held here on Sunday to review the progress on the project, a handout said.

He said the project being launched by spending billion of rupees in the province was vital to human life and health as it was directly linked with availability of clean drinking water.

A detailed briefing was given to the chief minister regarding the project.

Shahbaz Sharif said provision of potable water to the masses was responsibility of the government.

He directed necessary measures be taken for launching “Saaf Pani Project” as soon as possible.

He said the project should be executed on fast track and instead of launching it 12 districts in the first phase, a strategy be evolved for its launch in 18 districts of the province.

Similarly, he said, planning should also be done for initiating the project in the remaining 18 districts.

He said a comprehensive plan be evolved for making functional the non-functional water schemes in the province.

Moreover, he said, a separate plan should be devised for the big cities.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2014