Pindi's tehsils set for grand makeover

Rs22 billion plan involves door-to-door waste collection and more landfills

RAWALPINDI:

The Suthra Punjab Programme has been launched simultaneously in the 21 tehsils of the Rawalpindi Division, with an annual expenditure of up to Rs22 billion.

The plan involves door-to-door waste collection, followed by waste dumping, landfills, and then waste-to-energy processes. Additionally, 10,500 new employees have been recruited in the Rawalpindi Division alone, with a total of 125,000 jobs being created across Punjab.

So far, 90,000 positions have been filled. The Suthra Punjab Programme has also contributed to business growth and employment in sectors like IT, textiles, manufacturing, and others.

Addressing the launch ceremony of the Suthra Punjab Programme in the Rawalpindi Division, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique, and Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema shared their thoughts.

Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, speaking on the occasion, said, "Ask us about our performance – how we ended defaults and load shedding, how we reduced inflation to the lowest level, how we increased exports, and how we developed health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and other sectors. Don't ask us about creating chaos and disorder."

"We are bringing metro services to Gujranwala and Faisalabad, and introducing 550 electric buses in Punjab. 27 buses have already reached Lahore, with Rawalpindi receiving a significant share, she further said, adding the Punjab government was investing Rs40 billion in water supply projects in Rawalpindi.

"The issue of Nullah Leh is being addressed and the incomplete Mother and Child Hospital project, abandoned by previous administrators, will now be completed by December this year under the name of Children's Hospital, the minister added.

Ms Aurangzeb further said that additionally, 500,000 citizens were receiving medicines at their homes, and all primary healthcare centres and hospitals were being revamped and upgraded. "Lady Health Inspectors will now reach people's homes."

Minister Zeeshan Rafique said that the Suthra Punjab Programme would create 125,000 jobs across the province, adding 90,000 had already been filled.

"Monitoring of this programme is being done digitally. By introducing e-tendering in Punjab, we are ensuring transparency. This program will generate billions in business for other sectors. All 56 companies involved in the Suthra Punjab Programme are local companies," he added.

Rawalpindi DC Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema said that a grievance redressal system had been set up for the public, encouraging the people to make Suthra Punjab Programme a success so that they could live in a cleaner, healthier environment.