By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: A special conference on the Clean Punjab Initiative was held under the chairmanship of Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan at the Punjab Assembly. The session commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat Shareef. Heads of local government institutions and deputy commissioners from across Punjab joined the meeting via video link displayed on a large screen in the assembly chamber.
In his address, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan underlined the importance of public contribution to municipal services, particularly in rural areas where residents often refrain from paying municipal taxes. He termed the Chief Minister’s Clean Punjab Program as a landmark effort toward improving the sanitation system, adding that cleanliness holds significant value in our faith.
The Speaker also criticized the conventional association of the sanitation profession with the Christian community, calling it inappropriate and unjust. He stressed the importance of ensuring equal rights for minorities, recognizing the Christian community as a vital part of society.
Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq elaborated on the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz behind the Clean Punjab Program, describing it as a transformative initiative for urban and rural cleanliness systems. He shared that 60,000 tons of waste are collected daily in Punjab, and a modern waste management system is being implemented to ensure efficient disposal.
The Minister further highlighted that over 100,000 job opportunities will be created under the program, aligning the cleanliness system with international standards. Additionally, door-to-door waste collection will be introduced in rural areas for the first time. To ensure transparency, a points system and community monitoring framework will also be established.
During the session, Saira Afzal Tarar raised concerns over the current state of sanitation, urging improvements in resource allocation and infrastructure for effective program implementation.
Minority member Shakeela Javed emphasized the need for equal rights for minorities, condemning the stereotype linking sanitation jobs to the Christian community. She called for practical measures to address the community’s grievances and ensure social justice.
The conference concluded with a comprehensive discussion and a unanimous commitment to promptly implement the new sanitation system. Prominent participants included Secretary Local Government Mian Shakeel and CEO LWMC Babar Nadeem.
