TOBA TEK SINGH: The Faisalabad Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) signed an agreement on Tuesday with a Danish company for building a 33 million gallon daily (MGD) wastewater treatment plant.

The agreement was signed by Kamran Raza, project director for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Mr Rasmus Schmidt-Petersen, project director for the contracting company, Munck.

The ceremony was presided over by Wasa MD Sohail Qadir Cheema, while Embassy of Denmark in Pakistan Deputy Head of Mission Peter Emil Nielsen and Punjab Planning & Development Board Senior Chief of Urban Development Yasir Mubeen were present on the occasion.

Wasa MD said that for years, Faisalabad’s sewage had been dumped untreated into the Ravi and Chenab rivers, causing significant environmental and air pollution. “This new plant will not only relieve citizens from this pollution but also make the treated water useful for crops,” Mr Cheema added.

He said the project was supported by the governments of Pakistan and Denmark, with Faisalabad Wasa acting as a key model agency. He noted that it was the only large-scale wastewater treatment project of its kind in Punjab. He thanked the foreign donours and expressed hope for more such projects in the future.

Mr Nielsen said the Danish government had initiated this project to help the people of Faisalabad in combating environmental pollution. He said, “We are very excited about the completion of this wastewater treatment plant, which will provide essential facilities to the public.”

Mr Mubeen called the project vital for both Faisalabad and Punjab.

“The Punjab government, guided by the chief minister’s vision, is working to improve sewerage and water supply on a large scale to provide high-quality sanitation facilities to the public,” he stated.

He said that billions of rupees had been allocated across all of Punjab’s cities for this purpose.

He emphasised the government’s resolve for providing safe drinking water and top-tier sanitation facilities, which he believed would significantly reduce public health problems.

Mr Raza described the wastewater treatment plant as a “revolutionary project” for the people of Faisalabad. He said the project was scheduled to be completed in 2028.

“Consultants and contractors have already been mobilised,” he said, adding that it would be a unique and large-scale project for the entire province.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2025