ISKI signs MoU with Punjab government for improving efficiency of WASA

Lahore: An agreement was signed between Punjab government and Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration, (ISKI) Turkey, here today. under which the Turk institution will extend cooperation in the capacity building of WASA in five cities of Punjab including  Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest at the signing ceremony held at Model Town. Secretary Housing Sohail Shahzad and General Director Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration Dr. Dursun Atilla Altay signed the document.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the agreement between Punjab government and ISKI for improving efficiency of WASA. It may mentioned that ISKI manages the system of water supply and sewerage in Istanbul and is headed by Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas. ISKI has vast experience in water supply and drainage and providing best facilities to the citizens of Istanbul.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the capacity of WASA in five cities of Punjab will be improved with the assistance of ISKI. He said that there is no doubt that there are a number of shortcomings in WASA institutions in five cities of Punjab and there is a need for major reforms. He said that during his visit to Turkey he requested Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas to extend cooperation in this regard and as a result an agreement has been signed between Punjab government and ISKI. He said that efficiency of WASA institutions will be brought to the level of Istanbul and other cities of Turkey with the cooperation of ISKI during next two years. He said that improvement of these institutions will be made through collective efforts and hard work.

The Chief Minister said that like China and Saudi Arabia, Turkey is also a close friend of Pakistan and there is economic cooperation between the two countries. He said that efficiency of WASA will be improved with the cooperation of ISKI. He said that the agreement between Punjab government and ISKI is an important step and the objectives of this agreement will be achieved during next years.

He said that under the agreement ISKI will take practical measures for the training of WASA staff and capacity building of human resource and the agreement will be implemented immediately. He said that the Turk institution will provide assistance in the improvement of the system of water supply and drainage. He said that there is a need for a lot of work for improving efficiency of WASA in big cities and he will personally monitor implementation of the agreement.

He said that provincial ministers, secretaries, DCOs and WASA heads will have to put in a lot of efforts to come up to the expectations of crores of people. Under the agreement, ISKI with extend cooperation for making WASA in five cities in Punjab an active and vibrant institution and Punjab government will provide necessary data to ISKI for this purpose.

General Director ISKI Dr. Dursun Atilla Altay while speaking on the occasion said that under the vision of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif all out help will be extended for reformation of WASA in five cities of Punjab as well as building is capacity and efficiency. He said that utmost efforts will be made for improving performance of WASA.

Provincial Minister for Housing Tanveer Aslam Malik, Kh. Ahmed Hasaan, Vice Chairman WASA Ch. Shehbaz Ahmed MPA, Chief Secretary and officials concerned were present on the occasion.