Govt vows to address waste management challenges

Lawmakers call for systemic changes in waste management, recycling

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has pledged unwavering efforts to ensure a cleaner and healthier province under "Suthra Punjab" initiative.

During a special briefing session, lawmakers expressed their support, emphasising that the program would operate on merit without any favouritism.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan lauded the chief minister's dedication to this transformative initiative.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Provincial Minister for Local Government and Community Development Zeeshan Rafique provided insights into the comprehensive measures being implemented to address waste management across Punjab.

Rafique outlined several steps, including door-to-door waste collection, cleaning of main and adjacent roads, maintenance of sewerage systems, and proper waste disposal at designated sites.

He stressed that daily monitoring would ensure compliance, with fines imposed on those failing to fulfil their responsibilities.

The minister announced that approximately 100,000 jobs would be created in sectors such as machinery manufacturing and recycling.

Plans to establish new dumping sites in Gujranwala and Faisalabad are also underway, with bids received for three tehsils.

The provincial government aims to scale up its waste management infrastructure, increasing available machinery from 3,000 to 21,000 units and acquiring over 80,000 pieces of new equipment.

A "zero waste" strategy will be initiated at the district level, with waste collection monitored digitally.

For instance, if 570 tons of waste are collected from Kasur, it will be deposited at 570 designated dumping sites. Payments to contractors will be tied to performance, ensuring accountability and efficiency.

While many lawmakers praised the government's commitment to cleanliness, some raised concerns about other pressing issues, including delays in teacher salary payments and the dire conditions faced by farmers.