Selected Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs) were invited for the second coordination meeting of WASHNet partners on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), held at the Planning & Development Department and jointly organized by UNICEF, WASHNet, and the P&D Department. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Hamza Abbas, Assistant Chief (IDS), P&D Department, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of learning from practical experiences of TMAs to improve planning and service delivery.
Speaking at the meeting, UNICEF WASH Specialist Mr. Farooq Khan Abbasi said that strong institutional arrangements, community participation, regular water quality testing, and the use of technology are essential for improving WASH services at the tehsil level. He added that TMAs are the frontline institutions for providing safe water and sanitation services. Representatives from TMA Mansehra, Haripur, Bahrain, Timergara, Charsadda, Swabi, Abbottabad, Jamrud, Chamkani, Nowshera, Dargai, Mohmand (Lower), Laachi, Khanpur, Takhtbhai, Lower Dir, and Summer Bagh shared their ongoing initiatives and challenges.
The meeting discussed good practices including Social Mobilization Units for sanitation awareness, SCADA‐based water supply monitoring, water quality testing laboratories, and solid waste management initiatives. Issues related to low water tariffs, plastic waste management, and the need for improved enforcement mechanisms were also raised. The meeting concluded with a consensus to strengthen coordination among WASHNet partners, build the capacity of TMA staff, and take collective steps to improve sanitation services and eliminate open defecation.