Punjab Government Moves to Consolidate Municipal Services Under Single Authority

Lahore: The Punjab government is taking significant steps towards the consolidation of municipal services by proposing the creation of the Punjab Water Supply, Sewerage, Sanitation, Solid Waste Management Authority (PWSSSWMA). Spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, an 11-member high-powered committee has been formed to develop this initiative, which aims to streamline and enhance the efficiency of municipal service delivery across the province.

According to Punjab Portal announcement issued on 07 September 2024, the committee, led by Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq, includes a range of influential figures such as Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Minister for Communication and Works, Law Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath, and Vice Chancellor of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Professor Ali Cheema. The committee’s goal is to prepare detailed proposals for the establishment of PWSSSWMA, ensuring that quality municipal services are accessible to the public at all levels.

The inaugural meeting of the PWSSSWMA committee recently took place at the Civil Secretariat, where members, including Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Khurram Khan Virk, discussed global models for municipal service management. Secretary of the Committee, MD Syed Zahid Aziz of the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company, provided insights into successful international practices.

Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq emphasized the Chief Minister’s commitment to providing maximum convenience for the public through an effective and quality-driven municipal service system. He highlighted the need for eliminating departmental duplications to ensure clear and efficient service delivery at the grassroots level. Meanwhile, other committee members, including Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath, stressed the importance of thorough review and comprehensive legislation before the official launch of the authority.

The committee is expected to formulate concrete proposals shortly, which will then be forwarded to the Chief Minister for final approval, setting the stage for a more organized and efficient approach to municipal governance in Punjab.

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