RAWALPINDI: Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday said the PML-N believes in performance and good governance and has proved this by reducing inflation and putting the country on path of development within one year of its government.

She was speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate Suthra (clean) Punjab Programme in 21 tehsils of the Rawalpindi division. Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique was also present. The Suthra Punjab Programme was launched in March 2024 under which an integrated sanitation system has been started in cities and villages.

Under the programme, door-to-door solid waste collection has been started in all the tehsils of the districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Murree, Jhelum and Talagang.

Ms Aurangzeb said, “Rawalpindi is my hometown, so I have come to inaugurate this programme myself.”

Minister says PML-N believes in performance, good governance and has proved this within a year of its government

She said the one-year performance of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif was commendable.

“Suthra Punjab is not only a revolutionary programme but is also a miracle. After disposing of waste, it will be included in the waste to energy programme in the next phase. So far, about 100,000 people have got jobs under the programme,” she said.

Ms Aurangzeb lashed out at the previous PTI government and said it conspired against the country for four years.

“Shehbaz Sharif worked day and night for the country’s economy. He provided electricity and ended loadshedding in the country. Those who shouted slogans of Pakistan defaulting are now disappointed. Inflation has reached its lowest level in nine years while interest rate has come down,” she said.

She said people have confidence in the leadership of the prime minister and the Punjab chief minister.

The Punjab government has started scholarships and 50,000 students got benefit from it. Under the Apni Chhat and Apna Ghar Scheme, houses are being constructed for deserving people.

“People are getting free medicines at their doorsteps. The OPD of Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha will start functioning in June.”

The minister for local government said a uniform sanitation system had been started in all the cities and villages of Punjab.

The Suthra Punjab Programme is unique in the country.

More than 125,000 people will get employment under this programme, he said.

Work on development projects

Ministers Marriyum Aurangzeb and Zeeshan Rafiq also reviewed progress on mega projects at a meeting. Commissioner Amir Khattak and Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema briefed the ministers about progress on the projects, master planning and urban facilities.

The meeting was told that Adiala Road Flyover worth over Rs2 billion will be completed by April 15. Likewise, work has been started on the GPO Chowk underpass worth Rs4.6 billion.

Traffic will be diverted by blocking the area to ensure early execution of the project.

The meeting was also attended by MNA Hanif Abbasi, MPAs Tahira Mushtaq, Raja Hanif Advocate and Asma Naz.

The meeting also discussed various initiatives including beautification of Murree Road, vertical gardening under flyovers and restoration of historical sites.

In addition, introducing modern drainage and cleaning systems in the city, solutions to sewerage problems and solarisation of Wasa tubewells were also analysed.

A briefing was also given on measures to improve supply of drinking water under the Dreams Project.

This project has been launched in collaboration with Asian Development Bank with the completion deadline of 2028 to provide clean drinking water to a population of 7.5 million.

Under this project, water will be supplied from Khanpur, Chahan and Rawal dams.

Modern technology will be used to transport, treat, distribute and improve drinking water quality.

Speaking on the occasion, Marriyum Aurangzeb said the development of Rawalpindi was the top priority of the government and timely completion of all development projects would be ensured.

She said in the past many projects of public interest were halted by making them controversial.

“Therefore, our top priority is to ensure transparency in these projects as well as staying away from all kinds of controversies and ensuring timely completion.”

She directed the officials concerned to provide all facilities in graveyards including boundary walls, lights, funeral prayer sites, sewer system etc.

The minister for local government said the government was taking every possible step to improve the living standards of the people through modern infrastructure and urban facilities.

He issued instructions to all the concerned departments to complete the projects on priority basis so that more public welfare could be should be taken.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2025