LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday the government was planning to reorganise the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) under a phased programme.
He said services of Turkish experts would be acquired for this purpose.
He said problems regarding water supply and sewerage in Lahore as well as other major cities would be resolved on priority basis.
He was talking to a delegation of Istanbul municipality (ISKI).
It was agreed in the meeting that the government and the ISKI would cooperate in capacity-building and introducing reforms in the Wasa.
Talking to the Turkish delegation, the chief minister said the government wanted to introduce a modern management system of water supply and drainage of waste and rainwater.
He said there was a need to reorganise Wasa.
He said modern services would be provided to citizens. He said the Istanbul municipality experts would help in upgrading the outdated sewerage and drainage system.
He said that an agreement will be signed soon in this regard.
The chief minister directed the concerned authorities to undertake short, medium and long term planning for better services.
He said performance of the Wasa could be improved through a modern management system.
He urged the Istanbul municipality officials to help the Wasa evolve a short-term plan before the next monsoon, so problems created by rainwater could be resolved.
The delegation assured the chief minister of its cooperation for improving water management and drainage.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2013.