Pakistan, Nov. 11 -- The Punjab Cabinet has approved Rs3.7965 billion in funds to enhance WASA's operational capacity and modernize the water supply and drainage systems. The approval was granted on the recommendation of the Housing Secretary.

Meanwhile, WASA has reportedly imposed an undeclared increase of Rs1,000 to Rs2,500 in water bills since November. Instead of implementing recommendations to reduce bureaucratic expenses, WASA is spending additional tens of millions of rupees annually on purchasing new vehicles. Billions of rupees are also spent on the residences and renovation of senior officials, with the burden passed on to consumers.

In Lahore, 60 percent of WASA's pipelines are old and contaminated, forcing ordinary citizens ...