The Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has pledged a grant of 510 million Japanese yen (approximately $3.5 million) to support the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in Faisalabad.
The grant will fund the installation of smart water meters and related infrastructure to modernize the city’s water supply system. The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony in Islamabad under the “Economic and Social Development Program” between Japan and the Government of Pakistan.
Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third-largest city, faces significant water scarcity, with many residents receiving water for just six hours a day. WASA currently operates on a flat-rate billing system, charging customers a fixed fee regardless of consumption. This has led to inefficient water use, financial constraints, and limited investment in infrastructure.
The grant will facilitate the installation of 8,400 smart meters, allowing WASA to adopt a consumption-based billing model.
This transition is expected to promote water conservation, improve service efficiency, and increase revenue generation. The initiative also supports the digital transformation of water services in Faisalabad.