Faisalabad: A significant stride in addressing the water scarcity in Faisalabad was marked with the completion of “The Project for the Improvement of Water Treatment Plant and Water Distribution System” funded by a grant of 4.094 billion yen from Japan. The handover ceremony took place on April 23, 2025, attended by H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mr. Naoaki Miyata, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan Office, and Mr. Aamer Aziz, Managing Director of Water and Sanitation Agency, Faisalabad.
Faisalabad, the third most populous city in Pakistan, has been grappling with water supply challenges due to rapid population growth. The existing infrastructure has been unable to meet the increasing demand, leading to inadequate water services for its residents.
To tackle this issue, JICA initiated technical cooperation from 2016 to 2019, resulting in the formulation of a comprehensive Water Supply, Sewerage, and Drainage Master Plan aimed at addressing the city’s needs through 2038. The recently concluded Grant Aid project was a key component of this master plan.
The project significantly upgraded the Old Jhal Khanuana water treatment plant and enhanced water transmission and distribution facilities, including an expanded pipe network. This expansion has effectively tripled the water supply capacity, improving public health and the living conditions of Faisalabad’s citizens. The project also aligns with SDG Goal 6, which focuses on the sustainable management of water and sanitation.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu expressed hope that the facilities would be utilized sustainably and that the expertise gained would benefit Faisalabad’s residents. Mr. Miyata emphasized the project’s goal of providing safe water to more people and improving living conditions in the city.
The Government of Japan and JICA reaffirmed their commitment to supporting safe water supply initiatives in Pakistan through ongoing projects, including efforts to enhance the management capacity of Faisalabad’s water supply sector.