Punjab Chief Minister Mariam Nawaz Sharif has expressed strong dissatisfaction over poor sanitation in several cities and ordered the immediate suspension of payments to underperforming Suthra Punjab contractors.
In a high-level meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized that no tolerance would be shown for substandard work or negligence in the province. She reviewed the key performance indicators (KPIs) of deputy commissioners and announced the deployment of secret monitoring teams in every district to oversee governance and cleanliness.
Private contractors responsible for Suthra Punjab projects received stern warnings over poor-quality work, and discussions are underway to reorganize contracts for better accountability.
During the meeting, deputy commissioners faced criticism for incidents involving stray dog bites, deaths due to manhole accidents, and the shortage of free medicines in hospitals. The Chief Minister ordered daily cleaning of dustbins, creation of waste enclosures, and exemplary maintenance of public spaces, bus stands, and parking areas.
To remove encroachments, the government will use 24/7 CCTV monitoring, maintain digital records of illegal constructions, and ensure public pathways are cleared. Officials were instructed to secure written commitments from market authorities and take immediate action against violators of official price lists.
Mariam Nawaz also directed the repair of green belts, street lights, manhole covers, water filtration plants, and public toilets, and made road lane markings mandatory. Assistant commissioners were instructed to remain on-site to ensure cleanliness and discipline.
The Chief Minister warned that district heads showing continuous poor performance would be replaced after two warnings, and stressed that visible garbage piles were unacceptable despite Punjab having funding of 40–50 billion rupees, machinery, and 150,000 staff.
Mariam Nawaz reiterated her commitment to “next-level governance” in Punjab, stressing that all administrative decisions will prioritize public service and convenience.
