Today, members of the World Bank’s Punjab Inclusive Cities Pre Appraisal Mission—including Amena Raja (Senior Urban Development Specialist), Carlo Alberto Amadei (Water Specialist), Suhaib Rasheed (Senior Urban Specialist), Syed Ibrahim Ali Shah, Consultant, and Syed Furqan Ansar, Senior Program Associate—visited the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) Head Office. They met with Syed Zahid Aziz (Managing Director, PMDFC), Adnan Nisar Khan (GM, Engineering), Muazam Jamil Malik, SPO ID and Aamir Mahmood Shah, Manager GIS to review and discuss various aspects of the upcoming Punjab Inclusive Cities Program (PICP).
The meeting placed special emphasis on proposed interventions in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector. The PICP aims to transform urban service delivery in selected secondary cities of Punjab by improving access to safe drinking water, expanding sewerage networks, and establishing wastewater treatment plants to tackle pollution and public health concerns.
Another key objective of the program is to strengthen solid waste management systems through the development of sanitary landfill sites, replacing unsanitary open dumping, and contributing to a cleaner urban environment. These efforts will help enhance the quality of life for residents, ensure environmental sustainability, and build climate-resilient cities, reflecting the progressive urban development vision of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The PICP will be implemented with a focus on medium-sized urban centers that have shown readiness for reform and infrastructure upgrades. The program also aims to improve local governments’ municipal governance, financial sustainability, and institutional capacity through targeted technical assistance and investment support. With its integrated approach, PICP is set to play a pivotal role in shaping more inclusive, efficient, and liveable cities across Punjab.
