Suthra Punjab Tops Govt’s Two-Year Performance: Zeeshan Rafique

By Dr Ansab Ali | Lahore
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique has said that the Suthra Punjab Programme has emerged as the top-performing initiative in the two-year performance of the provincial government led by Maryam Nawaz.
Addressing a video-link meeting of Managing Directors (MDs) of Suthra Punjab agencies at the Suthra Punjab Authority Office on Tuesday, the minister said administrative control of the programme has been shifted from divisional to district level to further enhance efficiency.
Citing a survey conducted by the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR), an independent organization, he said the public has given Suthra Punjab the highest rating among government initiatives. Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Shahid Zaman, Chief Minister’s Focal Person Asim Mehmood, and DG Suthra Punjab Authority Babar Sahib Din also attended the meeting.
Congratulating newly appointed MDs, Zeeshan Rafique termed public trust reflected in the IPOR survey as a “great honour” for the entire team. “There is no doubt that Suthra Punjab is a programme close to the heart of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz,” he said, adding that participants welcomed the survey results with applause.
The minister highlighted that the programme has established a widespread operational network across Punjab and played a key role during last year’s floods by assisting the administration. He vowed that the workforce would continue to serve the public during emergencies.
He further claimed that the initiative has directly created employment for around 200,000 individuals, while millions of families are benefiting indirectly. “Suthra Punjab is being recognised as a successful cleanliness model globally,” he added, assuring improved performance through enhanced district-level monitoring.
Zeeshan Rafique also announced the introduction of a third night shift in busy commercial areas of major cities and expansion of infrastructure in rural areas. The meeting decided to establish anti-littering squads in every district to curb violations, emphasizing that fines should primarily serve as a corrective measure.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Local Government Shakeel Ahmed Mian said the transition from a company-based model to an authority-based system is nearing completion. He directed that CEOs of waste management companies extend full support to MDs.
Director General Suthra Punjab Authority Babar Sahib Din stressed strict monitoring of contractors, assuring that public expectations and the vision of the Chief Minister would be met.