Latest news with #MarriyumAurangzeb
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
WASA settles debts after historic bailout
The Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) has started clearing its long-standing dues to the government agencies after approval of Rs3.57 billion worth bailout package by the Punjab government. For the first time in its 28-year history, WASA Rawalpindi has received a bailout package to rescue it from a severe financial crisis and make it financially stable. This financial support will enable WASA to pay off long-standing dues owed to IESCO and CDA for the past 16 years. WASA, now upgraded to the WASA Authority, had repeatedly requested one-time bailout package from previous Punjab governments to address its financial difficulties. However, none of the past administrations approved such assistance. This time, WASA Rawalpindi, through the support of Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, requested the bailout package, which was approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. As a result, Rs3.57b in funds were released to WASA. With this funding, WASA has cleared Rs1.98b in outstanding dues to IESCO, completely settling its liabilities. Additionally, the process has begun to clear Rs1.59b in pending payments to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) related to maintenance charges and cost-sharing for the Khanpur Dam Water Supply Project. These payments are expected to be completed within this week. Managing Director of WASA Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, says by June 2025, WASA will be free from all legacy liabilities for the first time since its inception. This milestone will position WASA to achieve a significantly improved financial standing in the upcoming fiscal year 202526 through increased collection of water supply and sewerage charges, the issuance of new water connections, and recovery of outstanding dues from consumers amounting to millions of rupees, he adds. The MD further notes that WASA is currently providing water supply and sewerage services to citizens at subsidised rates. In addition, it is working on projects to secure additional water from Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam, along with ongoing projects at Chahan Dam and Daducha Dam. The completion of these new water supply projects and the upgrading of existing infrastructure will enable WASA to meet the water needs of Rawalpindi's residents more effectively, the MD says.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM Punjab approves largest climate observatory to tackle climate change
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the establishment of the region's largest and most advanced Climate Observatory, marking a major step in the province's efforts to address climate change. A state-of-the-art scientific center will also be established as part of the initiative to enhance environmental data analysis and support evidence-based policymaking. The approval came during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab's Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. The meeting reviewed and endorsed the feasibility plan covering budget allocation, procurement of equipment, and land acquisition for the observatory. The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore presented its report on the project's technical aspects. According to the official briefing, the observatory will be housed within the Punjab Planning and Development complex, while its primary structure will be constructed at the EICT (Environment and Information Communication Technology) site. The facility will be equipped with an automated communication and linkage system, in addition to a GIS lab, sectoral interface systems, and a modern data hub. Advanced MRI-based systems will be employed for data processing and climate analysis. A specialized internship program will be launched to train environmental experts across various sectors. The observatory will also include a data archiving system, a coordination unit, and an international communication cell to foster collaboration with global climate networks. Officials emphasized that the institution will be managed under a modern governance model, and recruitment of internationally qualified professional staff is already under consideration. Senior Minister Aurangzeb also directed the development of a smart organizational structure for efficient operations. Briefing participants, experts noted that the Climate Observatory will play a critical role in forecasting climate threats, conducting real-time analysis, and supporting timely decision-making. It will significantly contribute to advancing scientific research and enable effective information exchange at the international level. Commenting on the initiative, Marriyum Aurangzeb said, 'Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has presented a comprehensive plan to tackle the threats posed by climate change. The establishment of this observatory marks a transformative milestone in Punjab's environmental protection efforts.' Climate observatories are specialized facilities equipped with modern tools to monitor atmospheric and environmental changes. Experts use real-time data to detect potential threats and issue early warnings—vital for policy response and disaster preparedness.
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Green police: Punjab breaks the mold
Listen to article Every province in Pakistan possesses a nearly complete set of environmental laws, rules and regulations. However, their enforcement is largely absent. The primary reason cited by each province is typically the lack of a robust enforcement mechanism. Now, Punjab stands alone as the province that cannot offer this excuse. It has recently established its Environment Protection Squad, a team of uniformed personnel authorised to inspect every entity and individual within Punjab to ensure compliance with environmental laws. If significant violations are identified, this squad can impose immediate penalties and initiate legal proceedings against the offenders. It's highly unlikely that someone without a technical background, whether from the ruling political party or the bureaucracy, could have achieved this. These individuals often oversimplify technical issues for the sake of impactful rhetoric. Bureaucrats typically don't stay in a single department long enough to drive significant technical development, and politicians at the top, while desiring results, primarily focus on figures to satisfy superiors and critics. Therefore, it's a real mystery for those unfamiliar with environmental science to figure out who in Punjab took such a technical initiative, which has now finalised the environmental law enforcement system. Let's unravel the mystery and give credit where it's due for this remarkable achievement. It's a step long yearned for, one that eluded all provinces, including the former green leadership of Punjab, who hesitated due to the uncertain outcome of this unprecedented undertaking. But this time, the driving force behind it all was the provincial Environment Minister of Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb. Interestingly, before entering politics, she was a vibrant member of Karachi's environmental civil society. She actively championed environmental awareness in Karachi, even organising a major Earth Hour event at Mazare Quaid-e-Azam. Soon after entering politics, she became closely associated with Maryam Nawaz Sharif, often engaging in political sparring with opponents, and her involvement in environmental activities seemed to wane. Those who had known her professionally anticipated significant achievements in her new role. However, many were hesitant to voice high expectations openly, perhaps fearing she might prioritise defending the Chief Minister, as she had done previously. Yet, despite supporting her political leader, she also dedicated herself to her Ministry. This resulted in several noteworthy initiatives, including the green squad. Another contributing factor could be the current political landscape, where the same party holds power both at the federal and provincial levels. While the 18th Constitutional Amendment has decentralised power, this perception of unified governance can still facilitate action at all levels, especially when members of the same family lead both administrations. Nevertheless, it would be unfair to overlook the Chief Minister of Punjab's role, as she has shown the courage to support every initiative that serves the greater public good. Alright, after all that sweetness, let's switch gears and talk about some of the less pleasant aspects. For starters, there appears to be a significant amount of disorganisation within the functional levels of this new squad. It gives the impression that instead of focusing on actual performance, their primary concern is with appearances, given the abundance of fancy uniforms and gear, along with a long list of sub-departments that make it seem like they're operating with a highly advanced system. Consider the separate squads designated to monitor and control different types of pollution. What happens if the squad authorised to control plastic pollution observes industrial emissions exceeding the permissible limits? Will they intervene in another squad's area of responsibility, or will they simply call the relevant team to handle the situation? Another key issue is that no rules or regulations defining the roles and responsibilities of each squad have been officially announced or made public. Their primary function is to safeguard public health by controlling pollution. However, if the public doesn't understand how these squads operate, their presence will be ineffective until these rules are communicated. Furthermore, what happens if people witness environmental violations? Are there procedures in place to ensure the anonymity of complainants when investigating such incidents? If these standard operating procedures (SoPs) haven't been established yet, the entire green squad force will essentially just patrol the streets as a symbolic gesture — a "green flag march" intended to reassure people that their environment is being protected. While these are minor issues, they clearly persist due to the sluggish bureaucracy within our government sector. A file crawls through numerous levels of authority before finally reaching approval. At each step, from Section Officer to Special Secretary, the same phrase — "the above paragraph may be approved" — simply travels along with it until it reaches its final destination. Interestingly, the highly qualified individuals at each level, mostly from the civil services, earn a substantial salary to essentially endorse these approval requests, known as 'note-sheets' in government parlance. So, how long will it take for the higher-ups to approve taking action against someone caught under this new enforcement system? However, we must commend the entire environment department of Punjab. They have realised a long-held dream for those who have been advocating for it for the past 25 years — ever since the formal establishment of the government environment sector in Pakistan — by creating a green police force to enforce environmental laws. Previously, this task fell to our widely renowned local police. Given their notorious ability to extract profit from even the most worthless items, it's perhaps no surprise that environmental oversight wasn't spared their unique methods of handling violations, the details of which need not be elaborated here.
Business Recorder
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Marriyum inaugurates ‘CM Punjab Green Credit Programme'
LAHORE: Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday formally inaugurated the Chief Minister Punjab Green Credit Programme by depositing a plastic bottle in a recycling machine at a ceremony organized by the Department of the Environmental Protection. She also visited an exhibition of environmental paintings by children, interacted with them, and appreciated their creative efforts. The event concluded with Marriyum Aurangzeb distributing cash prizes among the Green Guardians for their exemplary environmental services and commending their dedication. The programme includes 31 sectors eligible for Green Credits, such as the purchase and use of energy-efficient fans, lights, e-bikes, e-rickshaws, rooftop gardening, tree plantation, cycling, and e-charging solutions. Media houses, schools, hospitals, and industrial units are also actively being included to ensure the message reaches every segment of society. The Minister emphasized that this programme belongs not just to the government but to every citizen. She stressed that real change will only come when collective thinking and behaviour shift toward environmental responsibility. While this is currently a pilot project, a dedicated budget will be allocated for its expansion in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP). She appealed to the public to actively participate in this national cause and prioritize environmental conservation in their daily lives. The event was attended by representatives from various departments, environmental activists, and students from educational institutions, media personnel, and Green Guardians. In her address, Marriyum Aurangzeb shed light on the challenges posed by climate change, government policies, and the initiatives being taken for environmental sustainability. She stated that in the past, climate change was considered an unusual or irrelevant issue, but it has now become a reality directly affecting human life, agriculture, health, and the economy. She informed the audience that as soon as Chief Minister Marriyum Nawaz Sharif took oath, she initiated multi-sectoral efforts to tackle air pollution. Punjab's first climate change policy was introduced and is now being actively implemented. Changes in monsoon patterns have brought about significant shifts in the agricultural system, turning environmental challenges into everyday concerns. Aurangzeb highlighted that for the past one and a half years, the government has been enforcing a comprehensive Anti-Smog Plan across various sectors. Additionally, the first multi-sectoral Environmental Force has been established and is operational 24/7. A dedicated budget of Rs10 billion has been allocated to combat smog, while 42 advanced Air Quality Index (AQI) monitors have been installed across Punjab to continuously track air quality. Drone surveillance is also being used to detect environmental violations. In the agricultural sector, the government is promoting e-mechanization by providing super seeders to farmers at a 60 percent subsidy to discourage the burning of crop residues. Under the Green Credit Programme, citizens will receive incentive credits for engaging in eco-friendly activities, aiming to bring positive behavioural change. So far, 90 industrial units have been taken onboard and are receiving continuous guidance. She further announced that each e-bike user will earn five carbon credits along with financial support of Rs50,000 to encourage the adoption of environment-friendly transport. The Punjab government plans to distribute 150,000 e-bikes in the next phase, which will reduce pollution and help citizens save on daily commuting costs. In addition, 500 electric buses will be added to Punjab's transport system starting August 2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Air Punjab and the Bullet Train
The spirit of hard work and dedication to public service is a legacy Maryam Nawaz has proudly inherited. Her father, former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, launched numerous welfare initiatives during his tenure, from which millions continue to benefit to this day. In Punjab, the Orange Line and Metro Bus services stand as successful examples of his vision. Now, under Maryam Nawaz's leadership, new projects like Air Punjab, the Bullet Train, and the Yellow Line are set to usher in a new era of development and prosperity for the province. While electric bikes and buses are already operating across Punjab, the 'Clean Punjab' mega initiative is rapidly transforming the province's cities and towns. Even critics now acknowledge that under this programme, cleanliness and improved sanitation are evident even in remote rural areas — a remarkable achievement of the Maryam Nawaz administration. Maryam Nawaz's government is not only swiftly delivering public welfare projects but also making bold, historic decisions. Recently, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced two landmark initiatives: the launch of Pakistan's first provincial airline, Air Punjab, and the introduction of Pakistan's first high-speed Bullet Train. In a special cabinet meeting, she formally approved both projects. Initially, four aircraft will be leased for Air Punjab, with domestic flights commencing immediately. In its second year, Air Punjab plans to expand operations internationally. Maryam Nawaz has directed that Air Punjab be developed into Pakistan's premier airline. Simultaneously, a decision was made to operate Pakistan's first high-speed Bullet Train between Lahore and Rawalpindi, reducing travel time between the two cities to just two and a half hours. The Chief Minister has entrusted Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb with the special task of overseeing the Bullet Train project. In this regard, Marriyum Aurangzeb has held key meetings with Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, and railways officials have briefed her on technical and operational aspects. The proposed Bullet Train route will pass through Lahore, Shahdara, Narowal, Raiwind, Kasur, Pakpattan, Lodhran, Sheikhupura, Jaranwala, Shorkot, Jhang, Sargodha, Lalamusa via Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Chak Jhumra, and Shahinabad. Additionally, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed that the feasibility study for the Yellow Line project, connecting Jinnah Terminal (Thokar Niaz Baig) to Harbanspura, be completed by May 30. Similarly, the feasibility study for the Gujranwala Mass Transit Line must be finalised by June 15. Important decisions regarding the E-Taxi project have also been made, signalling Punjab's rapid march towards modern and eco-friendly transportation solutions. While Punjab accelerates towards modernity, other provinces present a stark contrast. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, people still rely on makeshift cable crossings (dolis) to traverse rivers, and in Sindh, public transportation outside of Karachi is almost nonexistent. Against this backdrop, Maryam Nawaz's vision is to transform Punjab into a truly modern and developed province. Recently, at an international conference in Türkiye, Lahore was officially declared a 'Tourism City.' To further enhance Lahore's historic beauty, the Punjab government has formed a special committee with Mian Nawaz Sharif himself serving as Patron-in-Chief. His deep love for Lahore is well-known, and he has personally taken responsibility for the city's restoration. Lahore enjoys a unique identity on the global stage. However, to elevate it further, urban management standards must match international benchmarks. The city's cleanliness, lush green spaces, modern transport systems, and well-developed road infrastructure have already contributed to its reputation among the world's most beautiful cities. Citizens, too, must fulfil their responsibility in preserving Lahore's charm. If the Yellow Line is constructed along the Lahore Canal, the city could soon join the ranks of global metropolises like Dubai, Shanghai, Beijing, Moscow, Paris, and London. The Lahore Canal, a signature landmark of the city's beauty, will be further enhanced by this project. One of Maryam Nawaz's defining traits is her proactive leadership style. Her projects do not remain trapped in bureaucratic files; she personally monitors progress and ensures effective delivery. As a result, her team performs with full commitment and responsibility, helping to translate her vision into reality. (The writer is the PRO of Information Minister Punjab) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
