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MULTAN, Apr 09 (APP):Secretary Local Government and Community Development Shakeel Ahmed Mian visited Multan and chaired a meeting to review progress on the ‘Suthra Punjab’ (Clean Punjab) campaign.
The meeting focused on implementation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Rs 150 billion mega project aimed at providing sustainable public relief through improved cleanliness systems.
Commissioner Multan Division, Amir Kareem Khan, briefed the Secretary on the benefits and performance of the outsourcing model adopted by the Waste Management Company (WMC). Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Bukhari, divisional deputy commissioners, district officers, and WMC administration also attended the meeting.
Shakeel Ahmed Mian noted that, for the first time in the country’s history, a unified sanitation system is being introduced in both urban and rural areas through private sector collaboration.
He revealed that a mega project worth Rs 800 million is being launched for the cleaning of the sewerage and drainage systems. Under the Chief Minister’s vision, a zero-tolerance policy is being enforced to make Punjab waste-free.
Strict monitoring mechanisms for contractors have been devised to achieve zero waste in the division. The Secretary instructed to ensure 100% biometric and facial attendance for sanitation staff and emphasized the establishment of control rooms in every tehsil.
He also ordered an increase in the number of waste enclosures, along with their proper numbering and geo-tagging. Detailed data on population and human resources will be displayed at these enclosures.
Shakeel Ahmed Mian directed the WMC to focus solely on monitoring, adding that penalties must be imposed on contractors for underperformance against daily waste collection targets.
Private companies have expressed interest in recycling waste at landfill sites, he added. Commissioner Amir Kareem Khan confirmed that contractors have assured improved performance across all tehsils.
He further highlighted that 14 tehsils across the division will have dumping sites developed according to international standards. A modern landfill site has already been established in Kabirwala, and automated payment systems using electronic weighbridges have been activated.
Contractors have been tasked with completing their HR requirements and vehicle fleets to ensure effective cleaning operations. The waste collection target for the city of saints stands at 1,664 tons, with daily activities being uploaded on the official portal.
According to Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Bukhari, timelines for waste enclosures have already been obtained from contractors. CEO of Waste Management Company, Abdul Razzaq Dogar, also gave a detailed briefing on the ongoing cleaning operations.