Minister directs municipal staff to ensure cleanliness targets and warns against burning garbage and crop residues

By Muhammad Shahzad Lahore Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique has announced that emergency measures will be implemented to tackle smog and directed municipal authorities to intensify cleanliness operations across the province.

A meeting chaired by the minister at the Civil Secretariat reviewed anti-smog measures and cleanliness targets. The meeting was attended by the Secretary Local Government, Director General Local Government and other officials, while chief officers, municipal officers and deputy directors of local government from across Punjab participated via video link.

Zeeshan Rafique directed municipal authorities to involve staff in monitoring cleanliness operations and assign field duties to municipal officers, sub-engineers and clerical staff to ensure the achievement of cleanliness targets in every ward.

He said geo-mapping of 19,000 out of 21,000 loader-rickshaw beats had been completed. He also directed district council officers to monitor the deployment of machinery and ensure that cleanliness operations remained effective in both urban and rural areas.

The minister stressed that attendance of Suthra Punjab workers should be checked through visits to villages as well as cities. He said union council secretaries were familiar with their respective areas and should also conduct field visits alongside their administrative responsibilities.

Warning against practices that contribute to smog, Zeeshan Rafique said strict action would be taken against anyone found burning garbage or crop residues.

He directed officials to maintain close coordination with all relevant departments throughout the smog season to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

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Punjab Introduces Reforms in Correctional Systems

20 officers to visit US for two-week advanced training programme

By Our Staff Reporter

LAHORE: Punjab has taken another step towards modernising its probation, parole and prison systems, with 20 officers from the Punjab Probation and Parole Service and the Prisons Department set to visit the United States for a two-week advanced training programme.

The selected officers met Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi at the Punjab Home Department and briefed him on preparations for the training visit.

Special Secretary Home Zainab Khan, Inspector General of Prisons Mian Salik Jalal, former Director General Probation and Parole Shahid Iqbal, Senior Prison Psychologist Saadia Zafar and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.

During the briefing, officials said the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme would be held in Virginia in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Corrections. The programme is being conducted with the support of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), US Department of State, without any financial burden on the Punjab government.

The training visit is scheduled for October 24 to November 8. Officials said this would be the second delegation of Punjab probation and parole officers to visit the United States for advanced training this year.

During the programme, officers will study electronic monitoring, GPS-based supervision and technology-driven offender management systems. They will also receive specialised training in supervising high-risk offenders and individuals associated with gangs.

The programme will focus on the principles of “Rehabilitate, Reform and Reintegrate” and introduce participants to modern, evidence-based approaches to probation and parole supervision.

Officials further informed the meeting that the leadership of the Virginia Department of Corrections had previously appreciated Punjab’s progressive, reform-oriented model.

Addressing the officers, Secretary Home Punjab Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi said the province’s probation, parole and prison systems were being aligned with international standards. He expressed confidence that the training would improve the management of high-risk offenders and strengthen counterterrorism efforts in Punjab.

He said the officers travelling to the United States would serve not only as trainees but also as ambassadors of Pakistan, representing the country through their professional conduct, hard work and capabilities.

Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi added that all participating officers were receiving preliminary training before departure. Those who successfully completed the programme would be assigned supervisory responsibilities in different districts.

He further said the visit would help enhance the effectiveness of the Offender Management Information System (OMIS) of the Punjab Probation and Parole Service and support ongoing reforms in the province’s correctional system.