150,000 sanitation workers: Punjab CM announces launch of ‘Ration Card Programme’

LAHORE: Announcing the launch of the ‘Ration Card Programme’ for 150,000 sanitation workers across the province, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif acknowledged their hard work and dedication for keeping Punjab clean and green.

Speaking at ‘Suthra’ Punjab ceremony, the CM said, “It is an honour to wear a uniform of ‘Suthra’ Punjab team. If I, as a Chief Minister can wear a uniform of commandos, why not that of my own sanitation heroes?” She saluted all members of the ‘Suthra’ Punjab force, adding that commissioners, deputy commissioners, police and sanitation teams are all part of her provincial force. She commended sanitation workers for their remarkable service during floods, noting that they formed human chains to protect people and their property, even though carrying out such rescue operations were not part of their duties.

The Chief Minister noted, “Sanitary workers worked tirelessly out of humanitarian concern.” She also appreciated sanitary workers for removing mud from public spaces and cleaning streets and neighbourhoods in Sahiwal and in other cities across Punjab. She emphasized that 150,000-member Suthra Punjab team is the largest of its kind across the globe.

She lauded Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique and Secretary Local Government for their tireless efforts in achieving the dream of ‘Suthra’ Punjab program. She censured previous administration for neglecting cleanliness, adding that after Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure, waste management systems had collapsed and heaps of garbage were seen everywhere in the province.

The CM lauded ongoing flood relief efforts and role of volunteers, noting that previously only a few cities had limited sanitation coverage, while most of Punjab unfortunately lacked proper waste management system. She stated, “Now, every district is receiving modern cleaning machinery. The entire province will have a state-of-the-art ‘Suthra’ Punjab system within a year.” 35,000 machinery equipment and millions of containers for waste collection are available across Punjab.

The Chief Minister recalled that during the tenure of previous government, animal wastes would remain in every nook and corner of cities for weeks on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, but under her administration, all waste is cleared within just two hours. Every district now owns its sanitation machinery and no longer needs to borrow from other districts.

She added, “Cities were cleaned before, but cleanliness in villages has become a new reality.” She while highlighting her ‘Suthra’ Punjab vision said, “Daughters keep their homes neat and clean but today every corner of Punjab is spick and span.” She mentioned that Shehbaz Sharif now commends her administrative performance to run the province.

The CM while reiterating her strong commitment emphasized, “Facilities like education, health, cleanliness, roads and transport are the basic rights of the people and I am working with sincere dedication to fulfill this task on priority basis.” She announced that the Punjab government is awarding scholarships and laptops to talented students so that no hindrance occurs in their studies. She claimed that crime rate in Punjab has now dropped to zero percent. She asserted, “Those who harass women are arrested within 24 hours.”

The CM while concluding her speech affirmed, “I am cleaning not only Punjab’s streets but also minds of those who feel jealous about its progress. If I do not speak for the people of Punjab, who will? A revolution of development and cleanliness has begun in the entire province. I want to see Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa clean and developed too. If roads are in a dilapidated condition, food is expensive and streets are dirty, the people have every right to hold their respective governments accountable.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025