ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has on Thursday directed to formulate an integrated and comprehensive strategy for water treatment and wastewater disposal in Ravi Urban City and Central Business District projects to ensure clean and plentiful water supply to the urban population.

The Prime Minister was chairing a meeting on the progress of Ravi Urban City and Central Business District project, in Islamabad.

The prime minister said in cities like Lahore, the use of modern technology was important to meet the shortage of water for growing population.

The meeting, which was attended by minister for finance Shaukat Tarin, special assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Shehbaz Gill, chairman Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Anwar Ali Haidar and other officials, was briefed in detail on the progress made in these two key projects.

The meeting was informed that development work at Sapphire-Bay would begin soon after the issuance of contract next week. The approval process for the industrial zone will also be completed during this month, after which the construction of the infrastructure will begin.

The meeting was also briefed on the transfer of three WASA water treatment plants in Ravi City and the use of modern technology for wastewater treatment.

The educational institutions including Iqra University, University of Management and Technology and ISC will set up their campuses in Ravi City. Also, Iqra University has shown interest in building a hospital besides its campus.

Briefing the participants about the practicality of Ravi City project for the local people, it was informed that the project has allocated quota of jobs for the local population.

Initially, the project will provide employment to 100,000 local families. In addition, local people will get 50 percent discount on medical expenses.

Briefing the meeting on the progress of the Central Business District project, it was informed that the auction process in this project would start in the first week of next month.

A board has already been established for the Central Business District project which was in consultation with Nespak and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to finalize a design, with the development work set to begin next week.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen, Special Assistant Dr Shahbaz Gill, Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Lt Gen (retd) Anwar Ali Haider, CEO Ravi Urban Development Authority Imran Amin, Vice Chairman Lahore Development Authority S.M. Imran Amin and senior officials.