FAISALABAD: A handover ceremony was held Wednesday for the Japanese-funded grant aid project, “The Project for the Improvement of Water Treatment Plant and Water Distribution System in Faisalabad,” worth 4.094 billion yen. The ceremony marked the official transfer of the upgraded water infrastructure to local authorities.
Attendees included H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mr. Naoaki Miyata, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Pakistan Office, and Mr. Aamer Aziz, Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Faisalabad.
Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third-most populous city, has been facing increasing water demand due to rapid population growth. Many residents have lacked access to adequate water services. To address the issue, JICA extended technical cooperation from 2016 to 2019 and developed a comprehensive Water Supply, Sewerage, and Drainage Master Plan targeting 2038.
Under the newly completed grant project, JICA upgraded and expanded the Old Jhal Khanuana Water Treatment Plant, and constructed new water transmission and distribution infrastructure. The improvements have tripled the city’s water supply, aiming to enhance public health and improve the quality of life for citizens.
The initiative also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for universal access to safe and affordable drinking water.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Akamatsu expressed hope that the facilities would be sustainably maintained and that the expertise gained would benefit Faisalabad’s residents. Mr. Miyata echoed these sentiments, stating that the project would provide safe water and improve the city’s overall living environment.
This grant complements JICA’s ongoing technical cooperation project, “The Project for Improvement of Management Capacity of Water Supply Sector in Faisalabad,” reinforcing Japan’s long-term commitment to Pakistan’s water infrastructure.
