Vacations of 21,500 WASA employees cancelled across province on Eid, says DG

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2026) Director General Punjab WASA, Tayyab Fareed, on Tuesday said comprehensive arrangements had been finalized across Punjab to ensure exemplary cleanliness, smooth drainage and uninterrupted civic facilities during Eid-ul-Azha in line with the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Chairing a meeting in Multan to review Eid arrangements, monsoon preparedness and progress on development schemes under the Punjab Development Programme, he said all WASAs across the province had been placed on high alert under the “Suthra Punjab Programme,” while vacations of over 21,500 WASA officers and employees cancelled to maintain uninterrupted water supply and drainage services during the Eid holidays.

The DG said the Punjab government was rapidly executing mega development projects worth Rs205 billion across the province under the Punjab Development Programme. He added that sewerage and drainage schemes worth Rs25.8 billion were also near completion in Multan, which would significantly improve urban infrastructure and provide a permanent solution to longstanding drainage issues.

During the meeting, Deputy Managing Director Engineering, Zeeshan Shaukat Gondal briefed participants that 76 percent work under the Punjab Development Programme Phase-I had been completed, while construction activities accelerated to ensure timely completion of the remaining projects.

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He informed the meeting that the projects included replacement of dilapidated sewerage lines, installation of new pipelines, construction of disposal stations and enhancement of pumping capacity in various parts of the city. He added that all available resources were being utilized to complete most schemes by June 15, 2026.

Following the meeting, the DG Punjab WASA inspected the ongoing desilting operation near Head Muhammad Wala road and reviewed arrangements at the New Shah Shams Disposal Station regarding the upcoming monsoon season. He expressed satisfaction over the pace and quality of work and directed the concerned officers to keep all machinery and field staff fully operational during Eid-ul-Azha.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Punjab Development Programme aimed to ensure a permanent solution to sewerage problems in every street, road and household. He said mega sewerage projects launched in South Punjab, particularly in the historic city of Multan, would not only eliminate chronic drainage problems but also considerably reduce the risk of urban flooding during the monsoon season.

Earlier, the DG visited the WASA head office Shamsabad, where officials gave him a detailed briefing on Eid arrangements, monsoon preparedness, desilting campaign and ongoing development schemes.