The Water and Sanitation Extension Program (WASEP), initiated in 1997 by the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, Pakistan (AKPBSP), aims at providing infrastructure services. Specific program objectives focus on improving environmental health of local communities through provision of safe water and sanitation facilities to local communities in Northern Pakistan and Sindh. These includes reducing water collection time, particularly for women and children in mountainous areas; sustaining community water supply and sanitation infrastructure; reducing child morbidity caused by water-borne diseases, ultimately reducing health expenses burden of poorer communities. 

WASEP has achieved notable results. WASEP has partnered with local villages to install 191 safe water supply and sanitation services, with all the 191 water supply schemes currently operational, and run by the local communities. Over 155,000 people have been provided with potable water, covering about 15 percent of Northern Pakistan population. 9200 latrines have been installed in rural households. Over 5,700 Health and Hygiene education sessions have been conducted in local households and schools. 191 villages have received training on construction and maintenance of water infrastructure. 50 public and private sector institution staff have been trained on design and installation of integrated water and sanitation service infrastructure. Over 86 percent of WASEP integrated schemes have met or exceeded World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for water quality in developing countries. Further, a study published in March 2003 issue of WHO magazine states that WASEP integrated intervention package has reduced the diarrhea incidences by at least 25 percent. Currently, incidences of diarrhoea and water borne disease have declined by 60 percent in target villages. Water collection time for women and children has declined from an average of 3-4 hours per day/per week to almost zero for the entire year. 

WASEP is an outstanding practice whose approach of integrated water and sanitation services is internationally recognized. It further reflects the National Water Policy and the “Sanitation for all” initiative launched by the government of Pakistan in collaboration with UN agencies such as UNICEF.