Free drinking water remains a public entitlement in Punjab, not a commodity to be taxed. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif struck down an early proposal to charge for bottled water during a special meeting on Thursday, doubling down on a massive filtration-plant rollout now underway across the province. Main Developments Construction of 864 water filtration plants has already commenced in various Punjab districts, with work on another 1,913 plants set to begin shortly. The chief minister directed authorities to complete 1,886 filtration projects province-wide at the earliest opportunity. Under the pilot phase, 10,000 bottles of 19-litre clean water are being distributed free in four districts. Daily supply figures show 2,780 bottles reaching remote areas of Bahawalpur, 1,500 bottles to Koh-e-Suleman in Dera Ghazi Khan, 860 bottles in Khushab, and 780 bottles in Rahim Yar Khan. Read also: What's Behind the PPP's Demand for an AJK Election Inquiry? Reviewing proposals for household delivery via water tankers, the CM ordered an increase in the number of trucks to ensure uninterrupted supply. She also instructed deputy commissioners in Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Khushab to gather public feedback and assess daily demand for clean water. The meeting examined plans to establish 670 bottled drinking water plants province-wide—335 with a 5,000-litre capacity and 335 with a 10,000-litre capacity. A separate proposal called for 4,020 distribution points to supply bottled water across Punjab. Background The Punjab Saaf Pani Authority, which oversees these initiatives, has long faced criticism over underperforming infrastructure. The chief minister acknowledged that many existing drinking water plants across the province are not fully functional—a problem she termed regrettable. Her remarks highlighted the daily struggle of residents, especially women and the elderly, who often carry water on their heads or trek long distances under harsh sun. The new push aims to replace those burdens with doorstep delivery, a commitment she framed as both a public service and a matter of dignity. Why It Matters Rejecting the bottled-water fee keeps access to safe drinking water a state responsibility rather than a paid service. That decision carries weight in a province where water quality and availability remain pressing public health concerns, and where remote communities have historically been underserved. The scale of the planned rollout—thousands of filtration plants, hundreds of bottling facilities, and thousands of distribution points—signals a major infrastructure investment. For citizens, it could mean shorter journeys for water and fewer health risks from unsafe sources, provided the projects stay on schedule and fully operational. What's Next Daily progress reports will now be submitted for the four pilot districts, with deputy commissioners tasked to gauge real-time demand and public response. The CM's directive to accelerate completion of 1,886 filtration plants suggests a fast-tracked timeline for the broader rollout. Open questions remain: whether the additional 1,913 plants will follow the same expedited path, and how the 670 bottling plants and 4,020 distribution points will be phased. The commitment to deliver water “under all circumstances” in areas lacking clean supply sets a high bar for implementation.