Suthra Punjab initiative has revolutionised sanitation work: minister

LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique revealed on Saturday that the Suthra Punjab initiative has transformed the province’s sanitation network by extending waste management services to rural areas for the first time ever. At a meeting of the Suthra Punjab Authority, Rafique announced that the program's digital system now oversees 180,000 sanitation workers and 40,000 vehicles across the state, marking the beginning of its second phase to convert waste into economic value.

He emphasized that the introduction of a district-level agency model, replacing the previous company structure, has effectively bridged the urban-rural sanitation gap throughout Punjab. The meeting, attended by Zaid Bin Maqsood, Suthra Punjab Authority Director General Umar Javed, and Technical Members Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal, Ali Tariq, Saira Iftikhar, and Muzaffar Islam, saw Divisional Commissioners participating via video link.

Rafique stated that waste collected under the Suthra Punjab system is being put to productive use, with the second phase of Waste to Value now underway and a clear direction set. He affirmed that Suthra Punjab, a flagship project of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has revolutionized the province's sanitation system, attributing its success to the Chief Minister's vision and political dedication.

Rafique noted that the Suthra Punjab initiative is receiving praise at both the national and international levels.