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Under Suthra Punjab, Maryam Nawaz mandates more stringent oversight and timely salaries.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered measures to improve the cleanliness system across the province under the Suthra Punjab Programme, including timely payment of workers’ salaries, stronger field monitoring and better waste collection.
A special review meeting on Suthra Punjab, chaired by the chief minister in Lahore, reviewed the cleanliness situation across the province and assessed the programme’s performance.
Maryam Nawaz ordered the use of uniform dustbins and garbage bags in markets, bazaars and commercial areas and directed that specific timings be fixed for waste collection from commercial areas.
She directed authorities to ensure the washing and cleaning of major roads by 5am and ordered the cleaning of vacant plots in different areas. She also instructed that door-to-door waste collection be ensured across the province.
The chief minister ordered that Suthra Punjab workers’ salaries be paid by the fifth of every month and sought monthly reports from the relevant companies regarding salary payments. She directed immediate action in case of delays and ordered that outstanding payments to Suthra Punjab contractors be cleared at the earliest.
The meeting also directed that Additional Deputy Commissioners for Social Services be assigned responsibility for monitoring cleanliness conditions across the province. Maryam Nawaz ordered authorities to address shortages of sanitation workers and mechanical equipment according to the needs of different areas.
She directed officials to ensure cleanliness around schools, colleges, universities and hospitals, while also ordering the removal of empty mineral water bottles, juice cartons and other waste from parks and green belts.
The chief minister ordered special attention to cleanliness around railway tracks in urban areas, daily and timely cleaning of city entry and exit points, and improved sanitation at fruit and vegetable markets.
Maryam Nawaz directed deputy commissioners to maintain regular contact and hold meetings with relevant contractors and managing directors of water and sanitation agencies. She also ordered uniform uniforms for field monitoring officers and branding of their motorcycles.
The chief minister said standard operating procedures should be developed to assess performance at every level, from workers to officers, under the Suthra Punjab Programme, and called for a zero-tolerance policy against those failing to perform their duties.
She directed that contractors be given 24 hours to improve their performance before being fined for violations of the SOPs. She said imposing fines was not the government’s objective, but ensuring cleanliness remained the primary goal.
Maryam Nawaz also directed regular cleaning of Suthra Punjab vehicles, containers and waste collection points, stressing that cleanliness of streets and neighbourhoods was as important as maintaining major roads.
She said Suthra Punjab was very close to her heart and more efforts were required to achieve further results.
During the meeting, the performance of Lahore, Khanewal, Okara, Attock, Kasur, Murree and other areas was appreciated, while Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura and other areas were directed to improve their performance.
The chief minister has summoned another meeting after seven days to review implementation of her directives.
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IHC direct Islamabad administration to issue domicile to Lakki Marwat citizen
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Islamabad district administration to issue a residence certificate to Hamadulla, who lives in Lakkimarwat, within five days.
The order was issued while considering the citizen’s application for Islamabad Domicile Certificate.
The court also expressed strong displeasure over the district administration’s decision to send a lower division clerk (LDC) to represent the deputy commissioner’s office instead of a senior official.
During the proceedings, the clerk informed the court that a domicile certificate is issued one year after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the applicant’s previous district. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned the official about his appointment and asked why the junior officer was being sent to represent the district administration.
Expressing indignation, the Chief Justice pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner were not present in the court. He questioned the rationale behind making citizens wait for a year after issuing NOC and directed the government to complete the household registration process within five days.
The court also warned that if the residence certificate is not issued within the stipulated time, the Deputy Commissioner will have to appear in person.
After issuing the directions, the IHC adjourned further proceedings until next week.
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PM Shehbaz to address COP31 summit in Turkiye, hold key meetings with world leaders
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the high-level climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey today as he begins a busy schedule of engagements with international leaders.
The Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Clean Energy Transition 2035: Powering the Future” hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is expected to deliver an important address outlining his vision for renewable energy and the transition towards clean energy.
During the COP31 summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also present Pakistan’s National Statement, highlighting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges faced by nations severely affected by climate change. The announcement is expected to underline Pakistan’s concerns about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries and to emphasize the importance of global cooperation and climate justice.
In addition to the planned address, the Prime Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with several world leaders throughout the day. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing common environmental and climate-related challenges.
Later in the evening, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif will attend a gala dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet world leaders. His participation in the summit provides an opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its climate priorities and strengthen diplomatic engagement with the international community.
Business
Saudi delegation eyes Karachi port investments as Pakistan expands maritime trade
A Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Saud has expressed interest in investing in Karachi’s port infrastructure, logistics links and green initiatives, Pakistani authorities said Monday, as Islamabad seeks to expand maritime cooperation with its longtime Gulf ally.
The visit comes amid efforts by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to expand economic partnership from traditional trade, remittances and financial support to investment-based cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas. Pakistan is also seeking to modernize its ports, improve connections with land transport networks and expand transshipment operations to strengthen its position in regional trade.
Prince Mansoor, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, led a high-level corporate delegation to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, where officials were briefed on investment opportunities and ongoing modernization projects.
The briefings focused on the proposed 140-acre Maritime Business District in Karachi and the development of Manora Shipyard.
“Prince Mansour expressed keen interest in KPT’s Maritime Business District, Green port initiatives, terminal infrastructure expansion and connectivity initiatives, recognizing their scope for mutually beneficial Saudi investment and joint ventures,” the KPT said in a statement. The Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council serves as a platform for companies and investors from both countries to identify commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and form joint ventures. Prince Mansour has led several delegations to Pakistan as the two governments seek to translate their long-standing political and defense ties into greater private sector investment. In June, KPT signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi Arabian and Pakistani partners to explore the development of a maritime business zone on MT Khan Road in Karachi.
The proposed development involves the Saudi Arabian Business Council – Najd Gateway Holding Company, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited and a consortium of Pakistani companies and is intended to accommodate commercial and maritime businesses.
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