LAHORE DIVISION

Chunian: Sadaf Arshad, District Reporter | ReNews Pakistan Modern water filtration plants have been formally inaugurated in the suburban localities of Bhagoki and Budhoki in Chunian, marking a significant step toward ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water for residents. The project was executed under the auspices of the Adeem Foundation, with special efforts from local philanthropists. The inauguration ceremony was attended by community elders, social figures, and a large number of residents, who described the initiative as a vital public welfare intervention. According to organizers, groundwater in both areas had become contaminated, exposing residents to serious health risks. The lack of potable water had forced many families to travel long distances to collect water, with some reportedly facing accidents during the process. In response to these challenges, Adeem Foundation installed modern water filtration plants equipped with updated purification systems to provide safe, drinkable water to the local population. The initiative aims to curb waterborne diseases and improve overall public health standards in the region. Residents expressed relief and gratitude, calling the availability of clean water a transformative development for their communities. Civil society representatives and local notables lauded the foundation’s efforts and expressed hope that such humanitarian initiatives would continue to benefit underprivileged and underserved populations. Observers note that access to safe drinking water remains a critical issue in many rural and semi-urban areas, and the installation of filtration plants in Bhagoki and Budhoki represents a meaningful step toward addressing long-standing public health and infrastructure gaps.

Lahore: ReNews Pakistan A fact-finding study by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in collaboration with the European Union (EU), has revealed serious shortcomings in the design and delivery of water, sewerage, and drainage services in Lahore, raising concerns over citizens’ fundamental human rights. The report titled “Urban exclusion in access to water and sanitation in Lahore” identifies fragmented governance, lack of coordinated planning, and conflicting departmental priorities as major hurdles in delivering equitable and rights-based services. The absence of a fully empowered local government has further weakened accountability, oversight, and citizen representation in municipal affairs. Rapid urbanisation, unregulated development, and poor maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure have intensified the challenges. The HRCP study emphasizes that access to safe water and sanitation is essential for fundamental rights including health, housing, and security. It highlights the increased vulnerability of marginalized communities, noting that transgender persons frequently face denial of access to washrooms in government buildings, while individuals with disabilities encounter a complete lack of accessible facilities. The report also points to climate change as a key factor affecting water systems, with altered rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, and rising temperatures impacting urban drainage and sewerage networks. Recommendations include legislating the human right to water and sanitation, improving access in informal and low-income settlements, ensuring inclusive sanitation facilities, reducing water wastage, protecting sanitation workers, and promoting community-based complaint mechanisms. The study also advocates for water-sensitive urban planning that balances ecological sustainability with supply targets. In response, WASA Lahore Managing Director Ghufran Ahmad disputed the findings, citing local environmental standards and existing initiatives. He noted that arsenic levels in Lahore’s water range between 20-25 ug/L, below the national safe limit of 50 ug/L, and emphasized ongoing projects for drainage improvement, rainwater harvesting, and replacement of aging sewerage lines under the Lahore Development Programme. The study raises critical questions for policymakers and service providers about equitable access, sustainability, and accountability in Lahore’s water and sanitation sector, highlighting the intersection of human rights, urban planning, and climate resilience.

Lahore | Husnain Aulakh, Special Correspondent | Re News Pakistan Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz's Apni Chhat Apna Ghar housing initiative is transforming thousands of lives across the province, with significant progress reported. According to official figures, a total of 131,305 families have benefited so far, while construction of 80,248 houses has been completed. Additionally, 46,787 housing units are currently in their final stages of construction. More than Rs 181 billion has been utilized for the construction of houses under the scheme, while recoveries amounting to Rs 7.3 billion have also been made. A spokesperson for the Housing Department stated that implementation of the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar program continues in a transparent, swift, and efficient manner. Construction activities are ongoing in both urban and rural areas across Punjab. The spokesperson further clarified that offices have been established throughout the province to ensure outreach to deserving families. Moreover, the online application process has been designed to be simple and accessible for applicants.