Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s ‘Suthra Punjab’ cleanliness programme, launched to ensure timely and quality sanitation services for the people of Punjab, is receiving international recognition as a global success story.
According to LWMC sources here on Thursday after drawing attention in Gulf countries, the programme’s reputation has now reached Tokyo, Japan, where Nikkei Asia – one of Asia’s largest English-language news networks praised ‘Suthra Punjab’ and described it as the world’s largest waste management system.
According to Nikkei Asia, the programme manages the daily collection of around 50,000 tonnes of waste, making it the biggest waste management operation globally.
The report highlighted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s efforts under the initiative, as well as the programme’s future expansion plans.
The publication noted that the ‘Suthra Punjab’ programme has provided dignified employment opportunities to approximately 150,000 people.
It also made special mention of the interest shown by Chinese and British investors in a 50-megawatt waste-to-power project being developed under the initiative. The project is expected to generate electricity for around 240,000 households.
In addition, work is under way on modern projects including biogas production, bio-fertiliser, solar parks, and the conversion of methane gas from landfill sites into usable energy.
Nikkei Asia described the digitalised monitoring of all ‘Suthra Punjab’ operations as remarkable, noting that a central control room enables real-time oversight of operational activities and data from any union council across Punjab.
The report further stated that the programme has benefited not only waste contractors but also small industries involved in manufacturing uniforms, footwear and waste-related equipment.
The Suthra Punjab Authority DG Babar Sahib Din, said the credit for establishing such a large-scale cleanliness system for Punjab’s 130 million people goes to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He said that without strong political vision and government support, extending sanitation services to 25,000 villages would not have been possible. He also said Punjab offers significant investment opportunities for global investors working in clean energy and clean technology sectors.