Lahore: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday launched a new sanitation fleet under the ‘Suthra Punjab’ initiative, while firmly responding to critics of Punjab’s development efforts. Without naming specific individuals, she remarked, “They get furious when I talk about Punjab—but if I don’t speak for Punjab, then who will?” She urged detractors to focus on development in their own provinces rather than expressing envy over Punjab’s progress.
Addressing the launch ceremony, Maryam praised the sanitation workers, calling them “heroes of the Suthra Punjab program,” and expressed pride in wearing the initiative’s signature jacket. “It is an honour for me to be part of this movement,” she said. “You’ve cleaned every corner of the province and made it shine—I hold my head high with pride.”
She noted that the cleanliness drive is thriving across Punjab, reaching even small towns and villages. The Chief Minister also commended the program’s role in flood-affected areas, saying the team had fulfilled her vision. “I’ve never been as happy at any event as I am today,” she added.
Maryam criticized the previous PTI-led administration, claiming Punjab had suffered neglect and was overwhelmed with garbage. “Today, Suthra Punjab has a force of 150,000 workers, and every city is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery,” she said.
Reflecting on the initiative’s success, she stated, “The dream I saw a year ago has now become a reality. Earlier, no one paid attention to cleanliness in villages, but now every village in Punjab is being cleaned. Just as daughters clean and decorate their homes, we have cleaned and beautified our province.”
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