The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Rawalpindi has sought Rs810 million in financial assistance from the Punjab government to supply free drinking water to unserved peri-urban and low-income areas through water tankers. The proposal aims to address the growing water crisis in Rawalpindi, one of Punjab’s most densely populated metropolitan cities.
Wasa Managing Director Saleem Ashraf told Dawn that the emergency water supply plan was prepared on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The initiative focuses on providing doorstep delivery of potable water to residents who currently lack access to any formal water supply system. The plan has already been partially implemented as a pilot project in areas including Chakri Road, Adiala Road, Dhama Syedan and Girja Road.
Despite using its existing fleet of water bowsers, Wasa is facing a significant gap between water demand and supply. Rawalpindi’s population has surged from 1.6 million in 1998 to over 3 million today, placing immense pressure on civic infrastructure, particularly the water supply network.
According to Wasa estimates, the agency currently supplies around 51 million gallons per day, while the city’s demand stands at approximately 71 million gallons per day. This has resulted in a shortfall of nearly 20 million gallons daily. Several peri-urban and low-income localities remain completely unserved and rely on unsafe or informal water sources.
To address this crisis, Wasa evaluated multiple options for a 12-month emergency period. Procuring new water bowsers at a cost exceeding Rs2.4 billion was deemed financially unviable. The most feasible option identified was renting water tankers and installing water sources managed by Wasa, costing Rs810.19 million annually.
Wasa has formally requested the Punjab government to provide a grant-in-aid during the current financial year. The proposal will be presented to the provincial cabinet for approval, with the goal of ensuring free and reliable access to drinking water for Rawalpindi’s most vulnerable communities.
