A delegation led by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Emma Fan called on Secretary Local Government Punjab Zaid Bin Maqsood to review the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme (PICIIP), including completed schemes, progress and measures for their sustainable operation.ADB Deputy Country Director Hussain Haider, Principal Country Specialist Shaukat Shafi, Project Director Umar Javed and Deputy Programme Director Mirza Salman Usman also attended the meeting.The meeting was informed that major urban infrastructure schemes had been completed in Sahiwal and Sialkot under the $250 million PICIIP programme with ADB support, significantly improving the provision of basic municipal services in the two cities.According to the briefing, 765 kilometres of water supply lines had been laid in Sahiwal and Sialkot, while 48 tube wells, nine overhead water tanks and 17 filtration plants had been constructed. In addition, 63 tube wells had been rehabilitated to improve access to clean drinking water.The PICIIP schemes have benefited a population of around 597,000 in the two cities, the meeting was told. A 115km underground sewerage network had also been constructed, while modern wastewater treatment plants had been established in Sahiwal and Sialkot for the first time.The treatment plants would provide a capacity to treat 60 million gallons of water, according to the briefing.Under the PICIIP programme, essential machinery for solid waste management was provided at a cost of Rs1 billion, while seven new parks were also developed in the two cities.The delegation was further briefed that a one-kilometre-long overhead bridge had been constructed in Sialkot, while 8.25km of roads had been constructed and rehabilitated in Sahiwal. A state-of-the-art Local Government Academy had also been established at a cost of more than Rs3 billion.Secretary Local Government Punjab Zaid Bin Maqsood appreciated the ADB’s support and guidance in the completion of PICIIP schemes, saying the positive impact of the completed schemes was reaching the people and improving the delivery of basic municipal services.He stressed the need to ensure the sustainability of completed PICIIP schemes in line with the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, with particular focus on their operation, maintenance and continuity of public services.The ADB delegation appreciated the Punjab government’s cooperation and efforts in implementing the PICIIP programme and commended the measures taken to improve urban infrastructure in Sahiwal and Sialkot.
*ADB Country Director Emma Fan Leads Delegation in Meeting with Secretary Local Government*
