FAISALABAD, Nov 11: The government of Pakistan and Japan International Coordination Agency (JICA) formally signed a Rs2.5 billion agreement for the provision of sweet water to the residents of Faisalabad the other day.

A Wasa spokesman told newsmen here on Thursday that after hectic efforts, JICA authorities agreed to start the project. The water supply project would be completed in two phases for which procedural formalities had already been completed, he added.

He said in the first phase, water supply system in the eastern areas like Samanabad, D-Type Colony and People's Colony No 2 would be improved. In the second phase, tubewells would be installed along the Rakh Branch Canal from where 20 million gallons of water would be provided to the citizens.

The project involving huge foreign aid had been pending for the last many years due to a variety of reasons. The government tried its best and finally succeeded in removing the apprehensions of the JICA authorities.

WATER THEFT: Thikriwala police registered water theft cases against 15 people here on Thursday.