Garbage piles in Lahore raise questions about ‘Suthra Punjab’ initiative

Despite recent directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intensify the "Suthra Punjab" campaign, reports from Lahore indicate that the city continues to face significant sanitation challenges. Piles of garbage have been observed in various areas, raising questions about the on-ground effectiveness of the cleanliness initiative.

In a move to further strengthen the "Suthra Punjab" initiative, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has issued new directives for stricter monitoring and field presence of officials.

During a review meeting, she ordered that Managing Directors of Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) must spend two hours in the field daily. Additionally, Tehsil Municipal Officers (TMOs) and Field Monitoring Officers (FMOs) are now required to visit at least five union councils every day to inspect sanitation arrangements.

The Chief Minister also directed the activation of "Suthra Punjab Anti-Littering Squads" on e-bikes at every divisional headquarters to monitor roads, streets, and markets.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered immediate legal action against a company for non-payment of salaries to sanitation workers in Rojhan and Chaubara. The directive came during a review of the "Suthra Punjab" initiative.

New measures were also announced to enhance performance and accountability. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be set for the Managing Director, Field Monitoring Officers (FMOs), and Tehsil Municipal Officers (TMOs) of the Suthra Punjab program. The Chief Minister warned that the MD would face a three-year ban on postings for poor performance.

Further directives included ensuring the cleaning of empty plots, regular maintenance of waste enclosures, and repair of mechanical sweepers. Sanitation workers will now be required to carry garbage bags, following the model used in Murree. The Chief Minister also took strict notice of staff absenteeism and expressed strong displeasure with negligent officials.