In a significant push to realize Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision of a Suthra Punjab, the district administration of Lahore has achieved a major milestone by successfully clearing all 39 identified slum and encroachment hotspots across the city during the year 2025. This extensive operation is a cornerstone of the plan to transform Lahore into a model zero-waste city.
Massive Cleanup Operation Under Direct Supervision
The grand operations against illegal settlements and encroachments were carried out under the direct supervision of Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza. Joint teams from the district administration, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), and the Enforcement Wing have been engaged in sustained field actions to reclaim public spaces.
According to an official spokesperson, the 39 locations, which were major points for waste accumulation and makeshift dwellings, have been completely cleared. Strict instructions have now been issued to ensure these sites do not see a re-emergence of encroachments or slums, marking a shift from clearance to permanent maintenance.
Daily Reviews and Legal Action Mandated
To ensure the sustainability of this drive, DC Syed Musa Raza has directed all assistant commissioners to conduct daily reviews of sanitation and cleanliness arrangements within their respective jurisdictions. He emphasized that indiscriminate legal action will be taken against anyone involved in establishing illegal encroachments, with no leniency shown in enforcing the law.
As part of the broader Suthra Punjab campaign, comprehensive cleanliness drives and waste management operations are ongoing citywide. A special focus is being placed on keeping all entry and exit points of Lahore free from garbage. To meet the ambitious zero-waste target, LWMC staff have been instructed to work in multiple shifts around the clock.
Public Awareness and Citizen Responsibility
Beyond enforcement, the administration is focusing on changing public behavior. The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to strengthen public awareness campaigns to promote cleanliness and responsible waste disposal among citizens. This two-pronged strategy of strict action combined with community engagement aims to create a lasting cultural shift towards a cleaner Lahore.
The successful clearance of these 39 hotspots represents a critical first step in CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif's long-term plan for urban sanitation and order, setting a precedent for other cities in Punjab to follow under the Suthra Punjab banner.
