Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday chaired a special review meeting on the “Suthra Punjab” cleanliness programme and issued a series of directives to improve sanitation services across the province.

Maryam ordered the authorities to ensure uniform waste management standards, timely payment of sanitation workers and intensified monitoring in this regard.

She also ordered the use of dustbins and garbage bags in markets, bazaars and commercial areas, along with timely removal of waste from commercial zones.

She directed authorities to ensure the washing and cleaning of main roads by 5am every day.

She instructed officials to clean parks, green belts and areas surrounding schools, colleges, universities and hospitals.

Special attention was also ordered for areas around railway tracks and vegetable and fruit markets.

The chief minister directed authorities to ensure door-to-door waste collection and timely cleaning of city entry and exit points.

She ordered that Suthra Punjab workers be paid their salaries by the fifth of every month and directed immediate action against companies that delay payments.

Monthly reports on salary payments to workers were also sought.

Maryam also ordered the early payment of outstanding dues to Suthra Punjab contractors and directed authorities to ensure that workers and mechanical equipment were deployed according to the needs of each area.

“Suthra Punjab is very close to my heart, and we will have to work harder to achieve better results,” Maryam said.

She adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards those failing to perform their duties under the programme and ordered regular cleaning of Suthra Punjab vehicles, waste containers and collection points.