Pakistan Water Operator Network (PWON)
The Pakistan Water Operator Network (PWON) brings together water and sanitation agencies across the country to collaborate, share knowledge, and improve service delivery. PWON serves as a platform for operators to exchange experiences, adopt best practices, and work collectively to enhance water and sanitation conditions in Pakistan.
What We Aim For
Strengthening urban water and sanitation services through collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment.
Our Mission
To promote the development and continuous improvement of urban water and sanitation services by fostering collaboration among utilities, civil society, academia, and government. We aim to build strong advocacy, learning opportunities, networking, and partnership support with both local and international peers.
Our Vision
To enhance the effectiveness of urban water and sanitation utilities so they can deliver high-quality, reliable services—especially to underserved urban communities—ensuring the achievement of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water and sanitation.
Who We Are – PWON
Pakistan Water Operators Network (PWON) is a platform to facilitate the Water and Sanitation (W&S) operators to fulfilling their responsibilities through dialogue, networking, lesson sharing, research and capacity-building initiatives.
PWON is duly registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 20 March 2015.
History
About Water Operators Partnerships (WOPs) and GWOPA
PWON was initially established in 2011 under the name Pakistan Water Operators Partnership (P-WOP). In line with its growing mandate and national role, the organization was later renamed Pakistan Water Operators Network (PWON).
PWON was formally registered in District Officer, (E.&.I.P.) Registrar Joint Stock Companies, Faisalabad by Mr. Syed Zahid Aziz, who was serving as Managing Director, WASA Faisalabad at the time and was elected as the second Chairman of PWON in 2014.
In 2020, through the PWON platform, WASA Lahore and WSSC Mardan implemented an EU–Water Operators’ Partnership (EU-WOP) with Budapest Water Works under the EU-WOP Programme, administered by UN-Habitat GWOPA. This 36-month initiative significantly enhanced institutional capacities and was subsequently shortlisted for EU-WOP Phase II.
In April 2023, PWON became a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA), hosted by UN-Habitat. As a Steering Committee member, PWON actively contributes to GWOPA’s strategic direction and governance. This membership enables PWON to participate in the GWOPA General Assembly and provides eligibility to vote and stand for election to the Steering Committee, reinforcing PWON’s role in global water sector governance and international knowledge exchange.
In September 2023, the Pakistan Water Operators Network (PWON) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA) under the NewIBNET initiative. NewIBNET is a global standard comprising a harmonized framework of 15 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) designed to support and drive performance improvement of water utilities worldwide.
PWON works closely with national and international partners to promote institutional strengthening, knowledge exchange, and best practices in the water and sanitation sector.
Regional & Global Linkages
Coordinate and connect P-WON members with regional and global water and sanitation networks.
Platform for Collective Thinking
Provide a platform to W&S member operators for joint decision-making, raising their voice on policy issues, research, and actions.
Key Objectives
Empowering Water & Sanitation Operators for Collaboration, Learning, and Accountability
Capacity Building & Learning
Promote lateral learning among W&S operators through twinning programs and other capacity-building initiatives.
Best Practices Exchange
Facilitate networking for sharing best practices to improve member operators’ performance and efficiency.