Safe drinking water for all in Pakistan by next Year: PM       
'Pakistan Times' Federal Bureau     

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said all out efforts were underway to provide safe drinking water across the country under the Khushal Pakistan Programme by 2007. 

Talking to Minister for Environment Tahir Iqbal, Prime Minister said 6,035 water filtration plants costing an amount of Rs 10 billion, would be set up throughout the country by next year. 

He said the provincial and local governments, NGOs and private sector will also be asked to contribute to government's efforts and set up water filtration plants at parks, petrol pumps and factories etc. 

The environment minister said under phase one of Safe Drinking Water Programme, 445 treatment plants will be set up by the end of June this year. 

Pollution Levels 

The Prime Minister asked Ministry of Environment to check the pollution levels in water reservoirs throughout the country and carry out surveys to identify the sites from where the pollutants were being added in canals, rivers, and lakes so as to check pollution at source. 

He also pointed at the need of preventing water borne diseases like Hepatitis and for which an amount of Rs 2.6 billion has been allocated. 

The Environment Minister assured the Prime Minister of timely completion of Safe Drinking Water Projects. •