KOHAT: The business community and the municipal authorities have agreed to strengthen cooperation to improve sanitation services and ensure an uninterrupted water supply to the city residents.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC), Kohat, Mohammad Saad Qureshi, visited the Kohat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he held discussions with the chamber president, Rasheed Ahmad Paracha and other businessmen.

The meeting, which was held the other day, focused on enhancing urban cleanliness, improving service delivery and addressing water supply challenges, with both sides emphasising coordinated efforts to modernise civic infrastructure.

Mr Paracha said clean surroundings and a reliable water supply were essential not only for residents but also for sustaining commercial activity. He stressed that the financial sustainability of public service institutions depended on public cooperation, timely bill payments and institutional responsibility.

“Without financial balance, no public institution can effectively deliver quality services,” he said, urging the traders, elected representatives and civic leaders to fully support WSSC’s efforts.

On the occasion, Mr Qureshi welcomed the business community’s recommendations and assured participants that sanitation concerns in markets, commercial hubs and densely populated business centres would be addressed on a priority basis.

He said stronger consultation with traders and community stakeholders would help align Kohat’s civic services with modern urban requirements while ensuring better sanitation and water management systems.

TENDER ISSUED: Authorities have finally issued a tender after a long delay by seeking expressions of interest from private companies to outsource CT scan and MRI diagnostic services at the Kohat Divisional Headquarters Hospital in a move to provide the poor people access to modern healthcare facilities, a statement issued here said.

The hospital caters to the medical needs of the whole Kohat division, including Karak, Hangu, Kohat, Orakzai, Kurram districts and the tribal subdivision of Darra Adamkhel.

Officials said the project is designed to ensure the installation of advanced diagnostic equipment and the provision of professional services at the hospital.

According to health department sources, it is expected to improve both the quality and efficiency of services.

Under the plan, the selected company will be responsible for installing and operating the machinery, while government oversight will remain in place.

Local stakeholders have welcomed the development, noting that it will benefit not only Kohat but also patients from surrounding districts.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026