SAHIWAL: A World Bank Environment and Social Management (ESM) mission visited Arifwala to review progress on major urban infrastructure project worth $400 million being implemented under the Punjab Inclusive Cities Programme (PICP) in 16 municipal committees and corporations.

The project is being implemented with the support of Local Government and Community Development Department. Its focus is to develop a climate resilient infrastructure, improving civic service delivery and developing revenue streams for MCs.

The infrastructure development would be done to integrate water supply networks, sewerage networks and waste water treatment facilities, stormwater drainage networks, nature-based solutions for flood control, storage facilities and piloting solid waste management infrastructure for material recovery and sanitary disposal.

The team conducted a detailed inspection of project sites and received briefings on ongoing investments in urban drainage, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Rai Faisal Imran, MC administrator and Athar Farooq, chief officer of MC (Arifwala) accompanied them. Speaking to Dawn, Asif Raza, Deputy Commissioner of Pakpattan, said the rechargeable well is a futuristic investment in climate resilient infrastructure.

The PICP project is running in Pakpattan, Kasur, Chakwal, Samundari, Mandi Bahauddin, Jampur, Rajanpur, Shujaabad, Ahmadpur East, Chishtian, Jatoi, Haroonabad, Khanpur and Sadiqabad.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026