During the first formal meeting of the newly formed Suthra Punjab Authority chaired by Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique, the issues of resolving the challenges faced and transferring the assets of the waste management companies to the authority were discussed. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Director General of Suthra Punjab Authority Babar Sahib Din, divisional commissioners from across Punjab and CEOs of waste management companies also participated through video link.Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique, while addressing the participants of the meeting, said that the Suthra Punjab Authority will soon take over all the matters. "Transition of administrative supervision from the division to the district level will yield good results. A Suthra Punjab agency is being established in every district under the authority”, he remarked. He said that Suthra Punjab has emerged as strong system contrary to skepticism of few quarters. "Under the patronage of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, he went on, "resources were used transparently.
Zeeshan Rafique said that Suthra Punjab is being seen as a unique model all over the world. "Alhamdulillah, we have entered in the phase of mentoring saying goodbye to learning phase. After Forbes and Bloomberg, BBC has declared Suthra Punjab a game changer”, he added. He said that the British city of Birmingham has contacted Punjab to improve the sanitation system. "If this is not an acknowledgement of the success of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision, what else is it?”, he asked. However, he stressed that there is still a long way to go towards the ideal destination. "We cannot sit back and be satisfied with success. The expectations of the people have increased from this system, which have to be met”, pledged he.
Zeeshan Rafique said that disciplinary action is taken against littering in all civilized societies. "It is not possible that cleaning is done at 8 am and the shopkeeper throws the garbage again at 10 am. Insha Allah, the people of Punjab will always get quality sanitation facilities”, he hoped.
He figured out that Suthra Punjab cannot move forward without putting it on its feet. "The Punjab government has played its role, now the citizens will also have to contribute”, he urged. On this occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian said that the formation of Suthra Punjab Authority will bring further improvement. He directed that all commissioners should ensure the transfer of assets and funds of companies to the authority under their supervision. DG Suthra Punjab Babar Sahib Din said that this spirit of teamwork should be maintained. "The process of transition from company model to agency model will be completed soon”, he assured.
