Maryam vows to make Punjab waste free on World Zero Waste Day

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed her commitment to a cleaner and greener Punjab on the World Zero Waste Day, highlighting collective responsibility in keeping the planet pollution-free.

“Under the Clean Punjab Programme, every city in the province is being transformed into a zero-waste zone,” she stated. She revealed that over 1.25 million tons of waste at the Mehmood Booti dumping site was being converted into a lush-green forest and a solar park.

Addressing plastic waste management, the chief minister highlighted that a ban on plastic bags was being strictly enforced and urged citizens to play their part by abandoning plastic use. To tackle agricultural waste, she announced that farmers were being provided super-seeders on subsidy, ensuring efficient residue management. Additionally, she stressed the strict implementation of environmental laws in factories and industries across Punjab.

CM Maryam underscored that Punjab’s first-ever climate change policy would be a game changer in combating environmental pollution, ensuring a sustainable future for the province. Meanwhile, under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, a province-wide crackdown against overcharging in transport fares is in full swing.

The district administration, police, and transport department officials are actively conducting operations to ensure passengers are charged fairly.

The operation is underway in Chiniot, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Sialkot, Kasur, Lahore, Nankana, Sheikhupura, Bhakkar, Khushab, Mianwali, Sargodha, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Attock, and Chakwal. Similar actions are being carried out in Jhelum,

Rawalpindi, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, DG Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Khanewal, Lodhran, Multan, Vehari, and Murree.

During a briefing to the chief minister, it was reported that Rs3.3 million had been refunded to passengers, fines exceeding Rs2.3 million had been imposed, challans had been issued to more than 1,333 vehicles for overcharging, 264 vehicles had been stopped for violating fare regulations.

To assist passengers, the special helpline 042-99030222 had been set up. Additionally, Eid holidays for transport department employees and officers have been cancelled to ensure strict monitoring. A special squad from the Transport Department will be deployed at major bus stands during Eid.