Minister vows to achieve Suthra Punjab’s objectives

LAHORE : The goals of ‘Suthra Punjab’ set by the CM are very clear which will be achieved, said Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq while addressing a video link meeting of CEOs of waste management companies on Wednesday.

Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmad Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul and Additional Secretary Maria Tariq attended the meeting. During the meeting, CEOs of eight waste management companies updated the provincial minister regarding outsourcing. He expressed his satisfaction over the progress made so far in the solid waste outsourcing process, pledging, according to the timeline, the selection of contractors will be completed at tehsil level.

‘All legal requirements are being fulfilled before the new system becomes functional’, he said. Zeeshan Rafiq said there will be a four-year contract with the contractors, which will have to be renewed every year. He said possible challenges in the process of outsourcing are estimated and they will find effective solutions accordingly.

He directed the CEOs to complete the process of selection of contractors by the first week of September, saying after outsourcing, besides waste collection from houses, markets and offices, cleaning of streets and de-silting of drains will be ensured.

Zeeshan Rafiq said the chief minister’s ‘Suthra Punjab’ task will be completed on priority basis.

‘For the first time, the model of sanitation project will be implemented in the villages along with the cities. With the cooperation of the people, the vision of a better Punjab will reach its completion,’ he vowed.

Minister inaugurates Gurdwaras’ restoration

Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora visited tehsils Phool Nagar and Nowshera Virkan and officially initiated restoration work of historic Gurdwaras located in the areas.

ETPB Additional Secretary Saifullah Khokhar was also with the minister.

On the occasion, the minister stated that the government and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee are making efforts to reopen all historic Gurdwaras across the country after eliminating their illegal occupations.