Business Recorder
LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the relevant authority (PERA) to regulate LPG prices across the province and gave a two-week deadline to improve the cleanliness situation. She sought a report within 24 hours to determine transport fares per kilometer and directed officials to consider launching free transport in 17 districts where public transport is unavailable. During the meeting, the impact of global oil prices on transport fares was reviewed, and a detailed report was presented. Prices of 23 essential food items, including onions, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, and pulses, were also reviewed across all districts including Lahore. Officials briefed that flour prices in Punjab are lower than other provinces by Rs. 427 compared to Sindh, Rs. 823 compared to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Rs. 790 compared to Balochistan. It was also discussed that pulses, fruits, and vegetables are relatively cheaper in Punjab, with sufficient stock of lentils and gram available. The Chief Minister urged citizens to avoid purchasing items sold above officially notified prices and directed strict action against hoarding of essential commodities. She instructed assistant commissioners to conduct surveys of ponds and water bodies in every street and directed commissioners to submit daily reports with photographs. Orders were also given to ensure safety measures for ponds in every union council. The CM emphasized focus on key areas such as tree plantation, dog bite prevention, zebra crossings, street lights, green belts, and other KPIs. She also ordered restarting the cleanliness drive in graveyards under the “Suthra Punjab” programme. Expressing displeasure over the cleanliness situation in Jhang, she ordered complete cleaning of selected union councils within 24 hours. A detailed review of beautification and up-gradation projects in all districts was conducted, including photographic inspections. The CM directed that all such projects be completed by June and emphasized maintaining their quality afterward. Projects in various cities, including Attock, Rahim Yar Khan, and Faisalabad, were reviewed. She appreciated the quality work in Attock and praised the Deputy Commissioner. She also appreciated improvements at the Clock Tower area in Faisalabad, particularly the removal of roadside drainage issues and electric wires. The Chief Minister expressed serious concern over deaths caused by open drainage systems and stated that the presence of unsafe ponds will be considered administrative failure. She showed displeasure over complaints of garbage piles in different cities, calling it unacceptable. The meeting also discussed the targets of the Suthra Punjab program in detail. It was decided to introduce AI-based monitoring systems, including digital mapping for real-time tracking of sanitation workers in every union council. A new AI-based complaint system named “Suthra Punjab Hero” will be launched, along with a pilot project for AI-based waste detection vehicles. The Chief Minister directed further improvement in sanitation across the province and stated that visible garbage heaps in cities are unacceptable. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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