A significant and forward-looking initiative was formally launched to safeguard the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) from the hazardous impacts of unsafe sanitation

A significant and forward-looking initiative was formally launched to safeguard the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) from the hazardous impacts of unsafe sanitation. A high-level panel discussion was convened between the expert team from International Training Network-BUET (INT-BUET), Bangladesh, and the proposed Safely Managed Sanitation Unit of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) KP. The session was further enriched by the active participation of representatives from key development partners.
During the discussion, the INT-BUET team presented the remarkable success story of Bangladesh in implementing Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) across six cities. The presentation highlighted how a systems-based, service-chain approach—covering containment, emptying, transportation, treatment, and safe disposal or reuse—has significantly improved urban sanitation outcomes. The experience demonstrated how strong institutional arrangements, technical capacity development, and inclusive planning can transform sanitation services and protect public health. The panel discussion laid a strong foundation for initiating CWIS in KP, with a shared vision of protecting present and future generations from the adverse consequences of poor sanitation. Inspired by Bangladesh’s practical achievements, the Government of KP, with the support of UNICEF, has begun conceptualizing the establishment of a dedicated Safely Managed Sanitation Unit within PHED.The proposed unit aims to: Institutionalize safely managed sanitation across urban and rural areas of the province.Strengthen the technical and managerial capacity of PHED staff at provincial and district levels.Develop regulatory, monitoring, and service delivery frameworks aligned with international best practices.Initiate pilot projects on CWIS in selected cities during the first phase to demonstrate scalable models.Once formally approved, the Sanitation Unit will enable PHED to systematically and professionally address sanitation challenges, moving beyond infrastructure provision toward sustainable service delivery. This structured approach will enhance coordination among provincial departments, local governments, and private operators.
At a later stage, the Provincial Government, in collaboration with development partners, will mobilize financial and technological resources to scale up CWIS implementation across KP. These efforts will directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals Target 6.2, which calls for access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, with special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations.
The 3rd March discussion marks not just a meeting, but the beginning of a transformative journey toward safely managed sanitation in KP—anchored in evidence, guided by regional success, and committed to long-term public health, environmental sustainability, and human dignity.