Latest news with #SuthraPunjabProgramme
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
'Suthra Punjab' faces execution hurdles
The provincial government's Suthra Punjab Programme, aimed to deliver standard sanitation services in rural areas like cities, is encountering operational difficulties. Despite the allocation of Rs150 billion in addition to the existing sanitation budget, issues including flawed planning, limited resources, poor coordination, loopholes in contracts, and inexperience are being cited as barriers to the success of the scheme. The plan included setting up waste management companies in the divisional headquarters -- Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, and Rawalpindi, as well as in Sialkot. These companies outsourced waste collection and disposal to private contractors. Prior to this, sanitation resources and machinery were allocated on the basis of population data from the 2017 census and 2023 estimates, but field reports indicate that sanitation resources are currently over 50 per cent short of the required levels, a gap that has now become evident. According to sources in the relevant departments, lack of coordination between waste management companies and district administrations has led to initial inefficiencies. Many contractors and employees have received little to no capacity-building training. The sources said shortcomings had emerged in the contracts between contractors and waste management companies. Notably, highway cleaning is excluded from service agreements, and contractors have been tasked with cleaning only three days a week during a single time slot, leaving the roads unclean and overall cleanliness standards unmet. Disputes have also emerged between local elected representatives and district officials, particularly in rural areas, over insufficient cleaning schedules and underwhelming results. Applying the same sanitation model to villages as used in cities has also proved problematic, given the differing environmental and infrastructural realities in rural communities, such as open drains, livestock in the streets, and unpaved roads. The door-to-door waste collection drive remains less than 50% implemented. Even in areas where authorities claim full implementation, residents complain about cleanliness and waste management. Local officials cite lack of resources, while insiders point to lack of motivation among waste management officers and staff, coupled with an ineffective monitoring system. Tax collection for waste disposal services was scheduled to begin from July 1, but none of the goals has been fully realized so far. Contractors involved in the project say they are working within the scope of the current agreements. They argue that if the responsibilities are being expanded, the budget should be increased accordingly, noting that such adjustments should have been considered during the planning phase. Citizens also voiced their concerns. A resident of Lahore, Mohammad Irfan, criticised the inefficiencies in city waste collection, calling the proposed waste tax "an unjust burden on an already financially strained public". In response, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) CEO Sahab Din Babar defended the programme, stating that the scheme was progressing successfully. " For the first time in Pakistan's history, rural areas are receiving proper cleaning services. While challenges exist, they are being addressed promptly," he added. He said over 70% of the province is currently benefiting from the programme, and the remaining 30% will soon see improvements without any rise in costs. Speaking to the media, Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian said that for the first time, rural areas across Punjab were set to receive the same standard of sanitation services as urban centres. "This is the province's first such project. While certain issues have emerged, they will be addressed accordingly," he said. Mian explained that, in addition to weekly cleaning schedules in villages, daily cleaning is being introduced in local markets. He confirmed that contractors had been directed to ensure regular cleaning of major roads and highways as part of the expanded initiative. The door-to-door waste collection system under the Suthra Punjab Programme would be completed soon. He acknowledged that some challenges had emerged during the implementation phase but asserted that the issues would be resolved and the project would ultimately prove successful.
Express Tribune
28-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
CM launches 'Waste to Value' project
"A successful experiment for making biogas from biodegradable animal waste has been conducted at Lakhodair in Lahore for the first time in history," announced Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday while chairing a briefing on the project of Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC). She directed the authorities concerned to start the 'Waste to Value' project under the Suthra Punjab Programme at the earliest. The chief minister was informed that up to 25,000Kg of gas can be produced from 1,000 metric tonnes of waste, and about Rs7 milion in revenue can be generated from biogas production from the waste of sacrificial animals. Officials said 275,000 tonnes of carbon credits and $4.2 million income would be earned annually from the rehabilitation of the disposal site.
Express Tribune
27-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
CM orders CCTV cleanliness monitoring
"As people's expectations increase, performance should also increase," Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said while chairing a meeting for a detailed briefing on 'Suthra' Punjab Programme. She added, "Safe City cameras should be used to monitor the cleanliness situation across Punjab." She highlighted, "Development agencies from World Bank, Europe and other countries have expressed interest to invest in the Suthra Punjab Programme." The chief minister said, "Suthra Punjab Programme is successfully under way, complaints about cleanliness will be redressed."
Business Recorder
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab PA Speaker distributes cheques among sanitation workers
LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan distributed award cheques among hardworking sanitation workers in Kasur under the 'Suthra Punjab Programme' initiated by the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in recognition of their excellent cleanliness arrangements during Eid-ul-Azha. On this occasion, the Speaker not only distributed the award cheques on behalf of the Punjab government but also announced an equal amount of personal reward for each worker — a gesture that was warmly appreciated by the attendees. Addressing the workers, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan paid tribute to the leadership of the Government of Punjab and stated that the vision of public service envisioned by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is now being implemented in letter and spirit. The successful execution of the 'Suthra Punjab' initiative is a prime example of this. The Speaker commended the efforts of the Suthra Punjab workers, stating that hardworking individuals are the backbone of a province's progress and development. 'Loyal and dedicated individuals like you are our pride,' he said. 'The true beauty of our society lies in the hands that serve silently and selflessly.' Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan especially acknowledged the commitment, discipline, and sense of duty demonstrated by these workers during the Eid holidays. 'Their performance is truly commendable,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
100,000 sanitary workers to get reward money
LAHORE: Reward money announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will be distributed among more than 100,000 workers of the Suthra Punjab Programme on June 21 (today) for their performance during the grand operation on Eid-ul-Azha. In this regard, a ceremony will be held at the tehsil level across Punjab in which the workers will be invited. This decision was taken during a meeting that was chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq on Friday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi, Deputy Commissioners and chief officers of municipal bodies were also present. The Minister said that instead of calling all the workers on the same day, if necessary, the reward money can be distributed among the remaining people on the next day. He said the Chief Minister had announced the reward of Rs 10,000 each for over 100,000 workers who worked hard and with commitment during the hot weather on the Eid days. 'The workers worked hard during the scorching sun, and thus we saw exemplary cleanliness on Eid-ul-Azha. Hence, the Punjab government announced the reward to recognise the hard work put in by the workers,' he added. He directed the officials concerned to invite elected representatives to the ceremonies, observing that public representatives also played a full role in the awareness campaign during the grand operation. On this occasion, the Secretary said that bank drafts will be transparently given to the workers, adding that no worker of the Clean Punjab Programme should be deprived of the prize money. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
