Lahore: The Punjab government has announced the creation of approximately 100,000 new jobs through the outsourcing of cleaning operations across the province. Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq revealed the initiative during a video conference with CEOs of waste management companies held at the Civil Secretariat. This move aligns with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s directive to prioritize local hiring in these new roles.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq, during the meeting, emphasized that contractors would need to utilize existing manpower and machinery from regional waste management companies. The meeting was attended by prominent officials including Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, Additional Secretary Maria Tariq, and Lahore Waste Management Company CEO Babar Sahib Din.
The officials reviewed the progress of outsourcing sanitation work and discussed the ongoing survey under the “JS Bank-Zindagi” initiative. The minister stressed the importance of maintaining all equipment in optimal condition to ensure efficient operations once the outsourcing begins. He also reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to quality sanitation services as a priority under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Furthermore, Zeeshan Rafiq expressed his satisfaction with the interest shown by private companies in the outsourcing process and insisted on transparent and legal compliance in the contract awarding process. He highlighted the importance of local recruitment and involving local elected representatives to enhance public participation in the new sanitation system.
In preparation for the upcoming smog season, Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian instructed the CEOs to focus particularly on road cleanliness post-rainy season to mitigate pollution effects. The meeting concluded with discussions on addressing any potential complications during the transition to the new system and learning from the experiences gathered from initial implementations.