Latest news with #SuthraPunjabProgram
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM orders visible, improved cleanliness
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to ensure visible cleanliness and active sanitation staff across all neighborhoods of the province. She was chairing a meeting to review progress on the 'Suthra (Clean) Punjab Program', where she emphasized that as public expectations grow, performance must also improve. During the meeting, the CM was briefed in detail on various components of the program, including the introduction of e-invoicing and e-billing for sanitation fees, being implemented for the first time under the initiative. She was also informed about the Vehicle Trip Counting System and Vehicle Tracking Management System to monitor waste collection operations more effectively. Highlighting international interest in the program, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, 'Development institutions from the World Bank, Europe, and other countries have expressed willingness to invest in the Suthra Punjab Program.' The CM said that while the initiative is progressing successfully, complaints from certain districts regarding cleanliness must be promptly addressed. 'Contractors failing to meet performance standards should be removed,' she asserted. The CM further instructed the use of Safe City cameras to monitor sanitation conditions across Punjab. It was agreed during the meeting that 136 additional waste disposal points would be established across the province to improve garbage collection and management. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
2nd phase of ‘Suthra Punjab Programme' launched
LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched the Suthra Punjab Program into the next phase of waste recycling in which landfill sites considered an environmental challenge will be converted into national assets. Under this initiative, Pakistan is expected to earn Rs 1 billion annually from the carbon credit of the Lakhodare waste dumping site located on the outskirts of the provincial capital; the carbon credit will be claimed under Article 6 of the Paris Accord. The Lakhodare site can produce 20 tons of biogas. The Punjab government also plans to build a recycling park on the outskirts of Lahore under this project. In this connection, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq chaired a meeting on Saturday to consider various options for waste recycling. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Additional Secretary for Development Ahmer Kaifi and others attended the meeting. On this occasion, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) CEO Babar Sahib Din briefed the meeting on various options for waste recycling. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that a plan to generate energy from offal is under consideration; 1000 tonnes of energy can be generated from offal in Lahore alone. He directed the concerned officials to hold a road show in Lahore or Islamabad to promote the waste-to-energy projects, saying foreign diplomats would be invited to the road show. 'It will also be held abroad to attract investors,' he said, adding that the waste will be utilised in other cities after Lahore under this programme. On this occasion, Punjab Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian directed the LWMC CEO to make a comprehensive presentation for the Chief Minister. He said that waste is being made usable all over the world because recycling is the solution to the environmental damage caused by waste. Babar Sahib Din said that a 50 MW power plant project is also under consideration with the cooperation of the Punjab Energy Department. 'A large amount of waste is collected in Lahore every day under the Clean Punjab, and many domestic and foreign companies have shown interest in recycling waste,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
10-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
4,150 tonnes of animal waste collected
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Ashraf appreciated the district administration's arrangements for ensuring cleanliness in the district on the occasion of Eidul Azha. While talking to media persons in his office, he said under the "Suthra Punjab Program" the administration collected 4,150 tones animal waste and shifted it to the dumping sites effectively. The deputy commissioner said over 1,400 sanitary workers participated in cleanliness drives on the occasion of the Eid. He announced special package for the sanitary worker for their efforts to make cleanliness drive a success and ordered to pay their arrears on urgent basis. The district administration addressed over 1,100 complaints.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rs21b 'Suthra Punjab' project stalls
No effective waste management framework has been introduced in the past five months. photos: express The ambitious "Suthra Punjab Program," launched to overhaul sanitation services in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, has come under heavy criticism for its failure to deliver on promises, despite an annual expenditure of Rs21 billion. Five months after a four-year, Rs84 billion contract was awarded to a private firm for providing sanitation services across 12 tehsils in five districts, no effective waste management framework or essential machinery has been introduced. The lack of infrastructure and planning has led to garbage being dumped in open fields rather than designated sites, with dust storms further scattering waste into nearby agricultural areas. Affected regions include Choti, Paighah, Chak Barmani, Chak Buzdar, Taunsa, and others. Public frustration is mounting. Residents such as Dr Abbas Khan Barmani, Ghulam Abbas Gorchani, and Muhammad Bilal voiced their grievances to The Express Tribune, lamenting that the Board of Directors (BoDs) of the DG Khan Waste Management Company lacks the authority to enforce any meaningful action. "All powers rest with the Chief Officer," said one resident, calling on higher authorities to intervene. Member of the Provincial Assembly Sardar Mehmood Qadir Khan Leghari questioned the accountability mechanisms of the program. "Why are billions being paid to a contractor who is also using government machinery, and why is no one ensuring compliance with the contract's SOPs?" he asked, urging Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to take immediate notice. DG Khan Waste Management Company CEO Rana Muhammad Shahid Nadeem, who took charge two weeks ago, acknowledged the problems and pledged improvements. "Proper sanitation can only be ensured once sewerage and road infrastructure are upgraded in the initial phase," he stated. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Usman Khalid highlighted that, for the first time, sanitation work has extended to rural villages and sanitation staff is active in the field. However, he admitted that proper dumping points have yet to be established. He assured that designated dumping sites would be identified and improvements made in accordance with the Chief Minister's vision. Following widespread complaints, Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq visited DG Khan and chaired a review meeting at the Commissioner's Office. Attended by local lawmakers, Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry, and officials via video link, the meeting revealed widespread dissatisfaction with company's performance. Minister Rafiq criticised the company for failing to deploy the full workforce and machinery as per the agreement, and for unauthorised deductions from sanitation staff salaries. "Most of the complaints received by the chief minister are related to the private firm's poor execution," he said, warning that the contract could be cancelled if improvements are not made immediately. Reaffirming the government's intent, the minister said, "The chief minister launched the Suthra Punjab programme to ensure quality sanitation across cities and villages alike. We must work together to make this initiative successful."
