The Punjab government has launched a major initiative under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s public welfare vision to tackle the issue of saline and arsenic-contaminated water across the province.
A spokesperson for the Housing Department said the “Chief Minister Clean Water Program” will begin in 14 districts, including Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Khushab, Talagang, Chakwal, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, and Attock, with formal approval expected in the upcoming 24th Punjab Development Working Party meeting.
The plan includes setting up water filtration plants, building small dams, and introducing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for real-time monitoring to ensure safe and reliable drinking water.
Filtration units will be installed at schools, health centers, police stations, madrasas, and other public institutions, with site selection being finalized in consultation with district administrations. A central control room has also been proposed for efficient monitoring through SCADA.
The spokesperson stressed that the project, launched on the Chief Minister’s directives, is designed to make unsafe water drinkable and provide immediate relief to millions of people, calling it a vital step toward sustainable development and protecting citizens’ right to health.