LAHORE: The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has hijacked and renamed an initiative initially launched by former caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi. The programme, previously known as ‘Ab Gaon Chamkain Gey,’ has been rebranded as the ‘Suthra Punjab’ Programme, according to sources close to The Scoop (TS).
Launch and Impact of Original Initiative
“Launched on Independence Day last year, ‘Ab Gaon Chamkain Gey’ was a major step towards modernising the rural sanitation system, equating it with urban standards,” a senior official involved with the original project stated. The initiative successfully covered over 21,000 villages in its first phase, which concluded on October 31, 2023.
During the first phase, village committees were established, loader rickshaws and necessary machinery were distributed, and recruitment for three sanitary workers per union council was completed across 3,217 councils. The program collected more than 82 million rupees in sanitation fees under the first phase.
The project was aimed at providing sanitary workers to every union council, engaging locals to determine sites for waste disposal, ensuring regular cleaning of streets and drains and establishing village committees consisting of local residents to make the programme successful.
Mislabeling of Phases by Maryam led Punjab government
Sources have pointed out that the current local government minister, Zeeshan Rafique, erroneously announced on May 5, 2024, the commencement of what he referred to as the second and third phases of the ‘Suthra Punjab programme’. Insiders claim that this is actually a continuation of Naqvi’s original initiative, now entering its fourth phase.
“Minister Rafique’s recent statements regarding the programme’s phases are not only misleading but incorrect. This is the fourth phase of the project that began under Naqvi,” an inside source disclosed.
Key Contributors to Success
Amir Mir, former caretaker minister for local government, was highlighted by senior officials as a pivotal force behind the original project’s success. “Amir Mir was instrumental in driving the project across Punjab, ensuring its implementation down to the smallest of towns,” a department official explained.
Current Developments Under Misbranded Initiative
Despite the controversy, Minister Rafique detailed plans during a recent press conference in Daska, Sialkot, that includes deploying a sanitary worker for every 250 houses and establishing 10 recycling plants to convert collected waste into energy and compost.
Accusations of Credit Appropriation
The change in the program’s name and the continuation under the new moniker have led to accusations against the PML-N government of attempting to take credit for the groundwork laid by the caretaker administration.
“It’s crucial that the efforts of the caretaker government are recognised rather than repackaged under a new name,” a senior official remarked.
Calls for Proper Acknowledgment
Senior officials argue that the current PML-N government should recognise and build upon the efforts of their predecessors to effectively address public issues. “Following in the footsteps of initiatives like ‘Ab Gaon Chamkain Gey’ is the way forward for real change,” another official suggested, advocating for genuine credit where it is due.
Emulating Effective Leadership
“Instead of hijacking the development projects of the former caretaker government, Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government should give credit to Mohsin Naqvi-led government and follow his footsteps in order to address the problems faced by the masses just like Mohsin Naqvi who became a household name just because he left no stone unturned in addressing the issues of common people,” a senior official at the chief minister’s office (CMO) said.
