Zero-waste province CM’s priority

LAHORE:Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq on Monday said that 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection will be ensured in the provincial capital, under the new sanitation model.

The minister stated this while chairing a meeting in which Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's Suthra Punjab programme and the new model of sanitation for Lahore were reviewed.

Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian and Additional Secretary Maria Tariq were also present. Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) CEO Babar Sahib Din gave a briefing on various aspects of the new model.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said making Punjab a zero-waste province was a priority of the chief minister. ‘Currently, Lahore has a population of 13 million and the city generates 5,500 tons of garbage every day.

Under the new sanitation model, 100 percent door-to-door waste collection will be ensured,’ he pledged. New machinery and manpower required to make this model effective should also be estimated, he added.

Zeeshan Rafiq said along with receiving garbage from houses, sweeping will also be done thrice a week in each area. He asked the LWMC CEO to review the segregation of recyclables from garbage.

In particular, the challenges of cleaning in commercial areas should be taken into account as garbage can accumulate again at any time in commercial areas, he pointed out, adding there are 300 big and 200 small commercial markets in Lahore.

The minister said that bio-energy can be produced from the cattle waste produced in Gawala colonies. He directed to contact bio-energy related companies and submit a report.

The minister emphasised that private housing societies should also be brought under the purview of the LWMC and if necessary, amendments to the rules and regulations should also be suggested for the same.

Teams formed to inspect PHA operations

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has formed several teams to inspect the operations of its horticulture and engineering wings, with daily reports to be submitted to the director general, a spokesperson for (PHA) said on Monday.

Three teams, each comprising five members, will visit various areas of the city and report their findings through the monitoring and operations director. These reports will also be shared with relevant directors, who will implement recommendations and relay updates back to the director general’s office.

The PHA will also encourage community feedback, inviting Lahore residents to share their experiences and suggestions regarding the department’s services. “This will ensure that the teams remain responsive to the public’s needs and help identify areas for improvement,” he added. The primary objective of this initiative is to enhance departmental oversight of staff performance and ensure supervision of development expenditure. Evaluating staff performance is expected to increase accountability among officers.

“Performance evaluations are important for motivating employees, guiding their work, justifying promotions, and improving overall performance,” the spokesperson added. The PHA is also digitising its revenue generation, focusing on its marketing and coordination wings. These departments oversee outdoor advertisements, food courts, and amusement items, which generate most of the PHA’s income.

In addition, the PHA is preparing for several upcoming events, including a revamped Horse and Cattle Show, annual Jashan-i-Baharan (spring festival), and a chrysanthemum exhibition.