“Garbage should not be seen in the streets and markets,” said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif while chairing a special meeting to review implementation of solid waste management system in the province. She added,”Cleaning orders should be strictly implemented, negligence will not be tolerated.”

Madam Chief Minister said,”First ever in the history of Pakistan, a mega project of solid waste management is ready,” She added,”Guidelines should also be devised for analyzing the performance of WASA Companies receiving Financial Share and Subsidy.”

Madam Chief Minister directed the Provincial Minister Zeeshan Rafique to implement digital monitoring of this solid waste management system to ensure transparency in the outsourcing of solid waste management in the province. She added,”Solid waste management vehicles should also be kept clean.”

Earlier, Madam Chief Minister was briefed about the proposed contract to outsource solid waste management in all 36 districts of Punjab. She was briefed that 23 landfill sites and 66 transfer stations will be constructed at all divisional headquarters of the province. Organic, inorganic, iron and plastic waste will be sorted out at the transfer stations after completing door to door collection of the waste.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, MPA Sania Ashiq, Secretaries, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, CEO WMC and other relevant officers attended the meeting.

A suite of directives spearheaded by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, to safeguard and conserve wildlife, have borne fruit. These orders have been issued in accordance with the guidelines of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the establishment of a wildlife rescue force has been ordered under the vision of the CM Punjab. In the first phase, the rescue force will consist of trained staff, veterinary ambulances, doctors and rescue vehicles in Khanewal, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

She explained that legislation will be enacted regarding the capture of lions, leopards and wild cats under the Wildlife Act. Prior to the ten-day timeline for the combing operation against illegal possession of animals, continuous operations resulted in the recovery of 11 rare black bears from Sargodha, Nankana Sahib, Bahawalpur, Multan, Gujranwala and DG Khan, she added.

The senior minister disclosed that the search operations led to the rescue of 96 green parrots, 20 monkeys, 85 sparrows, 6 pheasants, 35 partridges, 45 rosy starlings (Pastor roseus), and 25 peacocks from unlawful captivity. Additionally, a Bengal tiger was intercepted while being transported from Lahore to Multan. Those found keeping animals illegally are subject to arrest under the amended Wildlife Act of 1973, with fines amounting to Rs.712,500 imposed on various offenders. She assured that the rescued animals will be temporarily housed in aviaries before being released back into their natural habitats, many of which are endangered.

Furthermore, educational lectures and seminars have been conducted in academic institutions to raise public awareness regarding wildlife protection and conservation efforts, she said.

Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized that no leniency will be shown towards those unlawfully detaining animals or perpetrating acts of cruelty against them. The true sanctuary for wildlife lies within forests and other natural environs. Keeping wild animals and birds in unlawful captivity constitutes a criminal offense, she asserted, urging the public to report any such instances to aid in wildlife preservation efforts.