LAHORE: Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced that more than 376,000 tons of animal waste and offal were collected and disposed of across Punjab during Eid-ul-Adha, while every worker participating in the Suthra Punjab sanitation campaign will receive a Rs10,000 cash reward in recognition of their services.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore alongside Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique, Aurangzeb praised sanitation teams for what she described as a highly successful cleanliness operation conducted during the Eid holidays.

Massive Eid Cleanliness Operation

According to the senior minister, the province-wide sanitation drive resulted in the disposal of more than 376,000 tons of animal remains and waste, making it one of the largest Eid cleanliness operations carried out in Punjab.

She said the operation was organized under the Suthra Punjab Authority, which coordinated waste collection, transportation, and disposal activities across urban and rural areas.

Authorities worked throughout the Eid holidays to ensure that streets, neighborhoods, markets, and public spaces remained clean and hygienic.

More Than 184,000 Workers Participated

Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that over 184,000 sanitation workers took part in the campaign.

These workers were deployed across the province to manage the large volume of waste generated during Eid-ul-Adha, when millions of sacrificial animals are slaughtered.

To acknowledge their efforts, the Punjab government has decided to award Rs10,000 to each worker involved in the operation.

She described the sanitation staff as the backbone of the campaign and credited them for the success of the initiative.

Use of Drones and Modern Technology

Aurangzeb highlighted that modern monitoring methods were employed for the first time on a large scale during the operation.

According to her, authorities utilized:

• Drones
• Digital monitoring systems
• Modern tracking mechanisms
• Real-time reporting tools

These technologies helped officials supervise sanitation activities, identify problem areas quickly, and improve operational efficiency.

She said the use of technology contributed significantly to maintaining cleanliness standards during the busy Eid period.

“Suthra Punjab” Became a Top Social Media Trend

The minister claimed that the Suthra Punjab Program emerged as one of the top social media trends in Pakistan during Eid.

She said citizens actively shared images and videos of cleanliness efforts, helping raise public awareness and appreciation for sanitation workers.

The positive public response, she added, demonstrated growing confidence in the province’s cleanliness initiatives.

Monitoring of Cattle Markets

In addition to post-sacrifice waste management, authorities also focused on cleanliness and supervision in cattle markets established before Eid.

Aurangzeb said arrangements were made to ensure proper sanitation, waste disposal, and public convenience at livestock markets across Punjab.

The goal was to maintain hygiene standards before, during, and after the Eid celebrations.

Praise for Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz

During the press conference, Aurangzeb also praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, stating that she remained engaged with the sanitation operation despite undergoing surgery during the Eid holidays.

According to the minister, Maryam Nawaz continued to monitor the cleanliness campaign and public service delivery even while recovering.

Aurangzeb said that after leaving the intensive care unit, the chief minister’s first concern was the welfare of citizens and the effectiveness of the sanitation operation.

She added that the surgery was successful and that the chief minister’s health had improved significantly.

The minister also dismissed speculation regarding overseas medical treatment, stating that Maryam Nawaz would not be traveling abroad for healthcare purposes.

Call for Similar Services Across Pakistan

Aurangzeb expressed the view that citizens in other provinces should also benefit from comparable sanitation services.

Referring to Karachi, she said that residents there also deserve efficient cleanliness systems and public services.

She emphasized that when one province introduces a successful initiative, other provinces should study and adopt similar best practices for the benefit of the public.

Plans for Union Council-Level Slaughterhouses

Looking ahead, the minister announced that the Local Government Department has been instructed to prepare plans for the establishment of slaughterhouses at the union council level before next year’s Eid-ul-Adha.

The initiative aims to improve waste management, hygiene standards, and public convenience during future sacrificial animal operations.

Officials believe that dedicated slaughter facilities could help streamline sanitation efforts and reduce environmental and health concerns.

Conclusion

The Punjab government has declared this year’s Eid-ul-Adha cleanliness campaign a success, citing the disposal of more than 376,000 tons of waste, participation by 184,000 sanitation workers, and the use of modern monitoring technology.

The announcement of a Rs10,000 reward for each sanitation worker is intended to recognize the efforts of frontline staff who worked throughout the Eid holidays.