Latest news with #SuthraPunjab
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bhowana ranked Punjab's cleanest tehsil
The Faisalabad Waste Management Company (FWMC) has removed more than 615,400 tonnes of solid waste from 16 tehsils over the past six months, following the outsourcing of sanitation operations to private contractors. The initiative, launched under the Punjab government's "Suthra Punjab" campaign, is aimed at transforming urban cleanliness standards and achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. According to FWMC sources, the company has deployed a workforce of over 15,000 personnel, 5,199 waste containers, and 3,014 pieces of machinery across the division to ensure regular waste collection from households and public spaces. The massive operation comes as part of a province-wide sanitation reform led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who approved the outsourcing model in November 2024 for all eight waste management companies in Punjab. A half-yearly performance evaluation conducted by the Central Control Room of the Punjab Local Government Department placed Tehsil Bhowana of District Chiniot at the top among 132 tehsils across the province. Bhowana was recognised for its superior sanitation standards, operational efficiency, and timely resolution of public complaints. Tehsils Jalalpur Pirwala in District Multan and Bahawalnagar secured second and third positions, respectively. The control room, which monitors key performance indicators such as staff deployment, facial attendance, vehicle tracking, waste enclosure setup, complaint resolution, and tonnage collection, ranked 26 tehsils with average efficiency scores above 90. Among these high-performing tehsils, seven belong to Faisalabad Division, including Jaranwala, Pir Mahal, Gojra, Kamalia, Chiniot, Lalian, and Toba Tek Singh. Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq described the performance monitoring as a vital component in ensuring long-term sustainability of the initiative. He noted that municipal bodies previously managed to lift only 28,000 tons of solid waste daily, while the new system aims to handle 60,000 tons, ensuring proper waste disposal and minimising environmental hazards. Rafiq added that control rooms have been established at the tehsil level and that more than 100,000 jobs have been created through the outsourcing model. FWMC Chief Executive Officer Rauf Ahmad credited the first-place achievement of Tehsil Bhowana to the hard work of the company's field staff, as well as the cooperation of provincial and district administrations.
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Maryam announces ‘Punjab Development Plan'
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the 'Punjab Development Plan' under which new projects will be introduced across the province. The CM chaired the PML-N parliamentary party meeting in which she gave a three-hour-long briefing to the assembly members about the first comprehensive and unique beautification plan and its details. 'Fateha' was also offered for the martyrs of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsus. The chief minister apprised the participants of the meeting that under the beautification plan, the hanging electric wires in the markets of every district will be made underground. A cart market will be established in every district & tehsil, canals will also be decorated in different cities. Under the beautification plan, the markets will be remodelled, infrastructure will be improved and food streets will also be established. The chief minister met the assembly members during the parliamentary party meeting and inquired about their well-being. The assembly members congratulated the CM on the successful outcome of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsus. They paid tribute to party Quaid Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The Assembly members thanked the chief minister for launching more than 80 major development projects simultaneously across Punjab. The chief minister announced to introduce new projects across the province through the Punjab Development Plan. It was decided to complete the 'Punjab Development Project' in 60 cities during current year. The chief minister announced to gradually make 800 villages of Punjab as model villages. She announced the construction and expansion of 400 kilometers of small connecting roads in villages in consultation with the assembly members. She announced to provide funds worth Rs 250 billion for the construction and expansion of roads from next year. It was decided to distribute 1100 electric buses to all districts across Punjab. The Chief Minister reiterated her pledge to complete the target of building one lac houses by the end of current year. She announced to launch Metro bus service in Faisalabad and Gujranwala soon. It was also announced to launch ART transport project on Lahore Canal Road at the earliest. The Chief Minister announced the launching of ration cards for the poor and needy across Punjab soon. It was announced to establish WASA offices in every major city of the province. She announced to establish Center of Excellence kindergarten campus in every division. The chief minister while addressing the parliamentary party meeting said, 'I will fulfill whatever promise I will make to the people of Punjab. Markets across the province have opened and the people feel a sigh of relief with the elimination of encroachments.' She added, 'Water supply will be ensured in remote areas of Punjab. We are striving to make 'Suthra Punjab' project from better to best day by day. For the first time after cities, villages have also been included in the cleanliness programme.' She highlighted, 'No district or tehsil will be deprived of the beautification plan. The assembly members are like my sisters and brothers.' She maintained, 'Ruthless operations will be carried out against criminals. Miscreants try to spread unrest in Punjab. CTD has been strengthened, combing operations are being carried out across the province. All cities of Punjab will be converted to safe cities within a span of few months. An effective anti-narcotics force has been mobilized in Punjab. An effective campaign is also underway to protect the livestock across Punjab.' She outlined, '8,000-strong para-force is ready to start become functional for performing their duties with regard to anti-encroachment drive, price control and other affairs in the province. Under the Lahore Development Plan, 6,000 streets, sewers and water tanks are being built. Public money is now being spent on their welfare. Each and every single penny is the trust of the public and it should be spent wisely. The Punjab government is striving to perform its duties with the best of intentions, Allah Almighty will definitely reward it. The level of transparency maintained in the Ramadan package is unprecedented.' The chief minister said, 'The interests of the people as well as the farmers are also taken in to account. A sewer line is being laid stretching up to 450 kilometers in Lahore. I also express my gratitude to the team which is assisting in serving the people.' Special Assistant on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah appreciated the initiatives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif being taken for the welfare of a common man. Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan expressed gratitude to the chief minister. In the meeting, prayers for the forgiveness for the late Member of Punjab Assembly Arshad Warraich and the late father of MPA Faisal were also offered. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
17 Punjab districts: CM approves beautification
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday presided over 3rd session of the Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners marathon meeting lasting for four hours and reviewed ongoing development projects of various districts. The meeting was informed about the ongoing anti-encroachment operation and beautification plan in 17 districts. The CM approved beautification projects in 17 districts and directed the district administrations to take steps to provide funds for the beautification and improvement projects. She was given a briefing about the annual development programme of the districts. The chief minister announced to give honorarium to the Deputy Commissioners of Hafizabad, Rawalpindi and Narowal. She directed to establish charging stations for the electric buses and disclosed that 1100 electric buses will be provided to all major cities across the province. She directed to ensure imposing a ban on displaying posters, banners and penaflex under any circumstance and further directed to ensure lane marking on the roads of all cities across Punjab. She directed to establish grain markets, fruit and vegetable markets according to standard designs across the province and further directed to ensure the sale of 'Roti' at uniform official rates across Punjab. The CM also directed to ensure the construction of buildings according to building bylaws across the province and further directed to ensure strict implementation of the ban on spreading building materials of under-construction buildings on roads. She also directed to carry out remodelling of the furniture market in Chiniot. She asserted that projects in all districts should be completed within the stipulated period adding that Deputy Commissioners should regularly visit hospitals and review the current situation. She directed to carry out inspection of school vans should for the safety of children. The CM directed to ensure provision of protective clothing to sewer men for cleaning manholes. She said. 'Drains are boiling due to dirt in Lahore and immediate attention is needed to address this alarming issue on priority. Cleanliness of canals and drains should be ensured in small and big cities including Lahore. A cattle market should be set up on Eid-ul-Azha as per SOPs. Urgent attention should be paid to filling potholes on the roads. Green grass in parks gives a beautiful look, fountains and waterfalls should also be established in the parks. Strict monitoring under Suthra Punjab programme should be carried out across Punjab.' She maintained, 'Sewers above road level cause traffic obstruction. Projects should be chalked out for providing clean drinking water to the people across the province.' The Chief Minister was informed in a briefing that a state-of-the-art food street will be built in Khanewal Sangalanwala Bazaar. Khanewal Akbar Bazaar will be given the shape of a model bazaar. 42 bazaars of Toba Tek Singh district have been cleared of encroachments. A model village will be established in Toba Tek Singh. It was further apprised in the briefing that a ladies sports club for women will be established in Kamalia. Encroachments have been eliminated in 39 markets of Attock. A gymnasium and community centre will be established in Attock. Beautification will be done in the area of Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib. 80 percent of encroachments have been eliminated in Khushab. Remodelling and beautification of the main markets of Quaidabad Nowshera will be done. It was informed in the briefing that 77 percent of encroachments have been eliminated in Chakwal and Tala Gang, and encroachments will be completely eliminated by June 15. Expansion of the main market of Chakwal Tala Gang is ongoing. Redesign and beautification of ancient 110-year-old railway station and bus stand will be done. Vehari Club Road will be made the district's model market and wide market. Remodeling and beautification of Lari Adda Chowk and parking plaza will be made. It was further apprised in the briefing that an operation being launched to eliminate encroachments in Mandi Bahauddin is successfully underway. A food street, park and parking area will be built in Mandi Bahauddin. Sadr Bazaar Mandi Bahauddin will be made a model bazaar. Eight old bazaars of Mandi Bahauddin will be rehabilitated and improved. 84 percent of encroachments have been eliminated in Gujrat. Food street and solar road lights will be installed near Gujrat Stadium. 73 percent of encroachments have been eliminated in Hafizabad. Vanike Road in Hafizabad will be given the status of a model bazaar. Remodelling and beautification of Umar Farooq Road and Canal in Bhakkar will be done. It was further informed in the briefing 80 percent of encroachments have been eliminated in Jhelum. Beautification and rehabilitation of Lehri Family Park Sohawa will be done. Eight cart bazaars have been established in Muzaffargarh. 5,000 miyawaki plant forest and model bazaars will be built in Muzaffargarh. A food street will be built on the Mianwali canal side. About 92 percent of encroachments have been eliminated in Chiniot. Chiniot's Jhang Road will be made a model road. Five thousand acres of land worth rupees three billion has been retrieved in Layyah. Layyah City Canal will be remodelled on the Lahore model. About 93-percnet of encroachments have been eliminated in Okara. It was informed in the briefing that remodelling of Okara Benazir Road will be carried out. Sadar Bazaar Okara will be remodelled and a food street will be built. 100 percent of encroachments have been eliminated in Rajanpur. A model bazaar will be built in Jampur Dams Gate. Marri Park will be built at a location conducive to promote general health in Rajanpur. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Doctor shot dead at hospital
A renowned medical specialist, Sheikh Mehmood, was shot dead by unidentified suspects at Fatima Hospital under the jurisdiction of Sajid Shaheed Police Station, on Friday. The killer was in fake uniform of Suthra Punjab project and was impersonating himself a sweeper. He had come to hospital for medical checkup, and shot dead doctor on getting a chance. DPO Sargodha Suhaib Ashraf and investigation officers reached the spot, shifted the body to a hospital for necessary legal formalities and started search operation to arrest the killer. Meanwhile, district police arrested 24 criminals across the district. Police spokesman said that teams raided at various localities under their respective jurisdictions and netted 24 suspect besides recovering narcotics and weapons from them. Separately, police on Friday after launching a crackdown against Proclaimed Offenders (PO) and court absconders netted a proclaimed offender under its jurisdictions. According to police, teams raided at different localities and netted accuse namely as Hasnain (40) who had killed Muhammad Manzoor (43) on a minor brawl and was wanted in murder case.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM inspects cleanliness in several cities
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif observed the cleanliness conditions in Sambrial, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Ghakhar Mandi and other cities along the GT Road during a visit on Friday. She reviewed the cleanliness arrangements in th cities under the Suthra Punjab programme. The CM also inspected the condition of the roads and monitored steps being taken to remove encroachments. She appreciated improved cleanliness situation under Suthra Punjab programme and directed the relevant departments to further improve the arrangements in all areas. She said, "Ensuring cleanliness in cities and villages across Punjab is the foremost responsibility of the government. The citizens should assist and facilitate the government in keeping the cities, streets and bazaars neat and clean." Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also paid a surprise visit to Gujranwala. She visited various areas adjacent to the GT Road, including Kharadan Bazaar, Gondlanwala Bazaar, Degi Bazaar, Chowk Farooq-e-Azam and other markets. The chief minister enquired from the citizens about the cleanliness arrangements. She monitored ongoing work on the construction and rehabilitation of roads, traffic situation and anti-encroachment drive. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also visited the residence of the late Member of Provincial Assembly Chaudhry Arshad Javed Warraich in Sambrial. She offered condolences to his daughters Hina Arshad Warraich and Zeena Mustafa Warraich and offered Fateha. The chief minister said on the occasion, "Chaudhry Arshad Warraich was a noble politician. His political and social services will be remembered for a long time." Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also issued a statement expressing deep grief over the death of three children drowning in River Ravi. She extended her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families.
