Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting to review progress and future reforms under ‘Suthra’ Punjab programme. She approved a comprehensive plan to modernize provincial sanitation system in the province under ‘Suthra’ Punjab programme.
Key initiatives of this first-ever programme in the history of Punjab include introduction of electric vehicles for sanitation, a “Waste-to-Value” project, digital transparency systems and strict penalties to curb littering. Earlier, she was given a detailed briefing on several strategic decisions to further modernize cleanliness system across Punjab. She directed to ensure introduction of modern electric sanitation vehicles, snd directed to launch a comprehensive plan for the said project by mid-January, aimed at transforming waste into usable resources under “Waste- to- Value” project. She said that this extensive sanitation system is nothing short of a miracle.
She added that a comprehensive cleanliness system for cities and villages should have been established years ago. She underscored that the Punjab government started from zero and we are further streamlining ‘Suthra’ Punjab program with the passage of time. She highlighted that people are giving positive feedback on improvements being made in every public welfare and uplift project across Punjab.
Authorities concerned briefed Chief Minister Punjab that individuals spreading garbage in commercial areas or on roads will face legal action and fines. They added that litterers will be held accountable after a 15-day monitoring period.
Separately, President PML-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif while chairing a special high-level meeting approved Gujranwala Mass Transit Project. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif attended the meeting, while Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif specially participated in the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Quaid PML-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Mass Transit Project was a long overdue right of people of Gujranwala, which they should have received long ago. He expressed great satisfaction over development initiatives launched by Punjab government, noting that it would significantly benefit public and contribute to the city’s progress.
Meanwhile, a steering committee has been constituted to eradicate forced child labour across the province. According to the notification issued, the 15-member steering committee will be chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, while former Member National Assembly Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha has been appointed as Co-Chairman of the committee.
Provincial ministers from School Education, Investment & Commerce, Industries & Trade, Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal, Skills & Small Industries Development departments will serve as its members. Additionally, provincial secretaries Home, Labour & Human Resource, School Education, Industries & Commerce, Social Welfare, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship departments, along with Chairman PITB and DIG Police have also been included in the committee. The committee will map all sectors across Punjab to identify industries or areas where forced child labour is prevalent. Special data will be collected from industrial units, brick kilns, agriculture, fisheries, workshops and auto-repair sectors. A province-level central data bank integrated with AI and GIS technologies will also be established.
The committee will determine priority districts, sectors and hot-spots where child labour exists and will propose alternatives for children currently subjected to forced labour. It will formulate immediate, medium-term and long-term strategies to eliminate forced child labour and prepare implementation mechanisms for these strategies. Its responsibilities also include developing awareness plans for parents, teachers and all segments of society, besides creating performance-evaluation criteria for institutions involved in combating forced child labour. Punjab has become the first province to introduce such comprehensive measures. These initiatives are expected to significantly improve Punjab’s global ranking regarding child protection and labour eradication.