Quetta: Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Mir Sarfraz Bugti has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the deteriorating sanitation conditions in Quetta, warning provincial authorities and waste management teams that negligence regarding the capital’s cleanliness will no longer be tolerated.
Presiding over a high-level review meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Sarfraz Bugti stressed that ensuring a clean and healthy environment in Quetta is a core commitment of the provincial government. He said public tax money must be spent transparently on facilities that directly benefit citizens.
The meeting was attended by Advisor for Local Government Nawabzada Baba Amir Hamza Zehri, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Zahid Saleem, Principal Secretary Babar Khan, Secretary Finance Imran Zarkoon, Commissioner Quetta Division Shahzaib Kakar, Project Director Quetta Development Project Rafiq Baloch, CEO Public-Private Partnership Dr Faisal Khan, officials of Safa Quetta, and senior officers of relevant departments.
Discussions focused on the performance of Safa Quetta and the Quetta Municipal Corporation (QMC). Despite detailed briefings, the Chief Minister noted that the ground reality did not match official reports.
During the meeting, detailed briefings were given by the Safa Quetta administration and Quetta Metropolitan Corporation regarding ongoing sanitation arrangements in the city, challenges being faced, utilization of resources, overall performance, and plans. Various aspects of the existing waste management system and its effectiveness were discussed.
CM Sarfraz Bugti and Advisor for Local Government expressed dissatisfaction with the overall cleanliness conditions in Quetta and instructed the concerned officials to bring immediate, practical, and visible improvements in the sanitation system, ensuring outcomes aligned with ground realities.
It was decided in the meeting that an independent and neutral survey would be conducted to assess public opinion and evaluate the overall performance of sanitation services. The survey aims to accurately identify public complaints and the actual situation on the ground.
The CM also ordered the establishment of a fast and effective complaint redressal mechanism to ensure immediate resolution of cleanliness-related issues and provide timely relief to citizens.
The meeting further decided that strict action and fines would be imposed on individuals who dispose of garbage in open areas instead of designated dustbins and dumping points. Quetta Safe City cameras will be utilized to identify violators dumping waste at public places to ensure effective enforcement of the law.
Addressing the meeting, CM Mir Sarfraz Bugti added that no negligence would be tolerated regarding the cleanliness of Quetta. He emphasized that public opinion must be given priority and concrete steps must be taken to resolve issues. He stressed that taxpayers’ money should be spent transparently on providing facilities to the public.
The CM reiterated that a clean, healthy, and well-organized Quetta is a key commitment of the provincial government, and all institutions must fulfill their responsibilities with honesty and dedication to achieve this goal. He also highlighted that, along with institutional efforts, public cooperation is essential for maintaining cleanliness in the city.
He concluded by affirming that coordinated and sustained measures will continue to make Quetta a model, clean, and well-managed provincial capital, and that no slackness in this regard will be tolerated.