The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore has emerged as the top beneficiary in Punjab’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the water and sanitation sector in the 2025–26 fiscal year, receiving the largest portion of allocated funds.

As outlined in the budget presented by Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman in the Punjab Assembly, a total of 94 ongoing schemes worth Rs. 58.13 billion have been distributed across five WASA agencies. Lahore alone accounts for 59 of these projects, valued at Rs. 24.83 billion—underscoring a significant disparity in fund allocation.

The remaining four agencies—Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, and Rawalpindi—have been collectively allocated only 35 schemes amounting to Rs. 33.29 billion. This lopsided distribution has sparked criticism, with many pointing to systemic neglect of cities beyond the provincial capital.

READ MORE:

Pakistan to Face New Zealand in Hockey Nations Cup Final for Pro League Spot

For new projects, WASA Lahore again leads with 24 new schemes. WASA Gujranwala managed to secure only two new projects—worth Rs. 5.9 billion and Rs. 1.51 billion—but received just Rs. 122 million and Rs. 13 million, respectively, for 2025–26.

Despite submitting numerous new proposals, WASA Multan, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi were entirely excluded from the new development portfolio. Senior officials from these agencies, speaking anonymously, expressed disappointment, warning that key urban centers like Faisalabad—Pakistan’s textile hub—will continue to face a severe clean water shortage.

For ongoing projects, WASA Faisalabad received funding for 17 schemes worth Rs. 19.5 billion, WASA Multan secured four projects valued at Rs. 5.17 billion, and WASA Rawalpindi was granted five projects totaling Rs. 6.38 billion. However, actual allocations for 2025–26 are minimal: Rs. 126 million for Faisalabad, Rs. 365 million for Multan, and Rs. 166 million for Rawalpindi—amounts that stakeholders argue are too limited to ensure meaningful progress.