By Our Correspondent
LAHORE – Ahead of Eid ul Adha, the Punjab government has unveiled an extensive province-wide sanitation and monitoring campaign aimed at preventing the improper disposal of sacrificial animal waste, with officials warning that violators could face fines of up to Rs50,000.
The decision was finalised during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where authorities reviewed arrangements for maintaining cleanliness throughout the three-day religious festival. Eid ul Adha in Pakistan is expected to be observed on May 27, according to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Under the new policy, strict action will be taken against individuals who dump animal remains, blood, or other waste materials in streets, neighbourhoods, drains, canals, and vacant plots instead of designated disposal sites. To ensure enforcement, the government plans to deploy special vigilance squads across Punjab to monitor public areas and respond to violations during Eid days.
Officials were instructed to intensify cleanliness operations in urban and rural areas alike, including private housing schemes, cantonment zones, railway colonies, and commercial districts. According to the briefing presented in the meeting, sanitation work will cover approximately 2,687 major markets across the province.
The administration has also launched the “Suthra Punjab Operation,” a large-scale cleanliness initiative involving nearly 176,000 sanitation workers along with over 8,000 temporary employees. Thousands of collection points and disposal sites are being prepared to manage the expected volume of sacrificial waste. Authorities said 3,800 primary collection centres, 3,100 designated dumping locations, and nearly 7,000 additional disposal points will be operational during Eid.
To strengthen waste removal efforts, more than 40,000 extra vehicles — including mini dumpers, tractor trolleys, pickup vans, and loader rickshaws — will be deployed throughout Punjab. Over 4,500 temporary service camps will also assist residents in waste collection and complaint handling.
In an effort to encourage public cooperation, the chief minister directed departments to launch awareness campaigns advising citizens to use authorised disposal points and biodegradable bags that will be distributed for waste collection. Officials were also instructed to ensure continuous monitoring and cleaning of drains and canals to avoid blockages and environmental hazards.
Addressing officials via video link, Maryam Nawaz stressed that all departments must function collectively to ensure a successful operation. She announced rewards for officers demonstrating exceptional performance while warning that negligence or unresolved public complaints would lead to strict accountability.
The Punjab government has further activated the “Suthra Punjab” helpline 1139, allowing citizens to report sanitation issues or seek assistance during Eid operations.
