LAHORE: The Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has ordered cleanliness to be ensured in cooperative and private housing societies as well, directing authorities to further improve the performance of the Suthra Punjab programme across the province.
The CM ordered washing and cleaning of main roads at 5a.m. and stressed the need to clean streets and neighbourhoods.
She ordered payment to Suthra Punjab workers by the fifth of every month and sought monthly reports from the companies regarding payments to workers.
She also ordered early payment of outstanding dues to Suthra Punjab contractors and immediate action in case of delays in payment of workers’ salaries.
Chairing a special review meeting, the chief minister ordered the use of uniform dustbins and garbage bags in markets, bazaars and commercial areas and directed that specific timings be fixed for removal of waste from commercial areas.
She ordered door-to-door waste collection to be ensured and directed the additional deputy commissioners (social services) across the province to monitor the cleanliness situation.
The chief minister said that requirements for workers and mechanical machinery be met according to local needs.
She also ordered cleanliness around schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, as well as in parks and green belts, directing the removal of empty bottles, juice boxes and other waste.
She ordered measures for cleaning urban areas around railway tracks across the province and directed that the entry and exit points of cities be cleaned daily and on time.
Deputy commissioners were directed to maintain continuous contact and hold meetings with the relevant contractors and managing directors of WASAs. She also ordered uniforms for field monitoring officers and branding of their motorcycles.
The CM said standard operating procedures (SOPs) should be formulated to assess performance at every level, from Suthra Punjab workers to officers, with special focus on cleanliness in vegetable and fruit markets.
She said that in case of violation of the SOPs, contractors should be given 24 hours to improve their performance before imposing a fine.
“Imposing fines is not our objective.The focus should be on ensuring cleanliness,” she said, adding that a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted against those who failed to perform under Suthra Punjab.
She said that besides the main roads, streets and neighbourhoods must also be cleaned.
“Suthra Punjab is very close to my heart. We will have to work harder to achieve better results,” she said.
The chief minister appreciated relatively better cleanliness performance in Lahore, Khanewal, Okara, Attock, Kasur, Murree and other cities.
The CM ordered that all orders must be implemented and summoned another review meeting after seven days to assess progress.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026