Suthra Punjab workers: Punjab CM has ordered timely payment of salaries

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed that salaries of Suthra Punjab workers be paid by the fifth of every month and ordered immediate legal action against companies failing to make timely payments.

She issued the directives while chairing a special meeting to review the Suthra Punjab programme, sanitation conditions in cities and sewerage disposal.

The chief minister took strict notice of reports of staff and workers remaining absent in urban and rural areas and expressed displeasure at officers found negligent. She directed the fixing of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the managing director, financial management officers and tehsil municipal officers of Suthra Punjab.

She said the managing director of Suthra Punjab would not be given another posting for three years in case of poor performance. She also said she would personally monitor the performance reports of Suthra Punjab companies in every city.

The Chief Minister ordered the managing director of WASAs to spend two hours daily in the field, while TMO and FMO officials were directed to visit at least five union councils every day to inspect sanitation arrangements.

She also ordered the activation of Suthra Punjab anti-littering squads at every divisional headquarters. The squads, riding e-bikes, would monitor roads, streets and markets. Suthra Punjab workers were directed to carry garbage bags with them on the pattern followed in Murree.

The meeting was told that an environment-friendly citizen sticker would be awarded each month to residents and commercial establishments maintaining cleanliness in their areas. Citizens maintaining clean surroundings would also receive gifts or certificates from the Chief Minister.

The CM Punjab directed that sanitation of vacant plots along streets and roads be ensured and ordered regular cleaning of waste enclosures besides repair of damaged walls and doors. She also directed officials to ensure the repair and proper functioning of mechanical sweepers and conduct daily inspections.

She ordered immediate legal action against the company concerned for failing to pay workers in Rojhan and Choubara and directed continuation of desilting operations to improve drainage.

The Chief Minister further ordered strict legal action over negligence and irregularities in sanitation operations and directed officials to resolve public complaints regarding cleanliness without delay. “Corruption and negligence in Suthra Punjab operations will not be tolerated,” she said, adding that waste-filled enclosures on main roads were regrettable.

“There is no room for people who sit comfortably in offices and draw salaries. They have to work,” the CM Punjab said. She described Suthra Punjab as a valuable programme aimed at facilitating people, improving cleanliness and providing social services.

The meeting was informed that, on the Chief Minister’s instructions, payments had been completed for workers of 149 out of 151 Suthra Punjab companies.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026