RAWALPINDI: The promulgation of Punjab Water and Sanitation Authority Act 2025 has indeed brought significant changes to the administrative structure of water and sanitation agencies in the province. Following this act, the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Rawalpindi has separated from the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and now falls under the direct administrative control of Punjab Wasa.

This change is likely aimed at streamlining the management of water and sanitation services in Rawalpindi, allowing for more efficient and effective delivery of these essential services to the public.

The Punjab Wasa will be managed by Director General and all the Wasas of five big cities of Punjab including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan and Gujranwala will be headed by managing directors.

Punjab Chief Minister or her nominee will be chairperson of the authority while Planning and Development Board Chairman, Secretary Finance, Secretary Housing, Urban Development, Secretary Local government, Managing Directors, four technical experts and Director General will be members of the Board of governors.

In local level, Punjab Chief Minister’s nominee will be Vice Chairperson of the Agency while Planning and Development Board, Finance, Housing, Urban Development, Local government representatives, Deputy Commissioner, three technical experts and Managing Director will be members of the Board of governors. These boards will be nominated by Punjab chief minister for three years.

A senior official of Wasa told Dawn that it was a good initiative of the government as for the uplift projects, Wasa will not wait for long for approval of project.

He said the financial matters would be solved immediately. However, he said that the provincial government had given the authority to Punjab Wasa to increase the fees and charges of water and sewerage services.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2025