Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to introduce satellite internet service as part of a broader strategy to strengthen digital connectivity and expand access to modern technology across the province.
The announcement was made by Senator Anusha Rahman, PML-N leader and Senior Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister, while addressing a leadership summit at a private university in Lahore. The event focused on blockchain technology, digital assets and the growing role of emerging technologies in Pakistan’s digital future.
Speaking at the summit, Anusha Rahman said the Punjab government is working to ensure high-speed internet access in areas that remain underserved or disconnected from basic digital infrastructure. She said satellite internet technology would play an important role in connecting villages, educational institutions and healthcare facilities, particularly schools, colleges and hospitals in remote and less-developed areas.
Rahman said there is already strong public interest in digital technology, but many regions still face serious connectivity challenges. To address this gap, she said the provincial government is launching a “Connect the Unconnected” mission, aimed at bringing internet access to communities that have so far remained outside the digital network.
According to her, the government will soon begin providing internet services through satellite technology in the public sector. She added that the Punjab Information Technology Department is already working on several modern connectivity projects to support the province’s digital transformation.
The senior adviser further said that the Punjab government plans to connect 6 million young people with modern technology over the next four years. The initiative is expected to support digital learning, skills development, innovation and greater participation of youth in the emerging technology economy.
Officials believe the planned satellite internet service could help reduce the digital divide in Punjab by improving access to online education, health services, government platforms and technology-based employment opportunities in areas where conventional broadband infrastructure remains limited.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has decided to introduce artificial intelligence based monitoring for sanitation services across the province as part of a major “smart cleanliness” initiative under the Suthra Punjab programme.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where officials briefed the participants on system improvements, AI based field operations, financial matters and progress on waste to value projects.
According to the briefing, around 40,000 sanitation vehicles and 176,000 sanitation workers across Punjab will be monitored through AI supported systems. The government will also introduce AI equipped motorbikes to identify garbage points and improve real time monitoring of cleanliness operations. Officials said these motorbikes will be fitted with automated cameras capable of live image capturing and field visibility. The system will allow authorities to continuously monitor sanitation conditions and respond more effectively to complaints and waste accumulation.
The chief minister also issued an alert to Suthra Punjab teams ahead of Eid al Adha and directed authorities to increase the number of waste collection centres across the province. The government is also considering on the spot fines for negligence and illegal dumping outside designated waste collection points.
Under the new initiative, digital mapping and a beat system are being introduced for sanitation operations. For the first time, an AI-based complaint cell is also being established under the Suthra Punjab programme to ensure faster complaint resolution.
The meeting was informed that physical verification of around 70 percent of employees has already been completed, while the process is expected to reach 100 percent by next week.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered strict action against ghost employees, absentee workers and staff members who mark attendance but leave their duty points. She directed that field monitoring of sanitation staff should be carried out through AI based systems to improve transparency and accountability.
The Suthra Punjab helpline, 1139, has also been centralised to ensure 24 hour responsiveness. Officials briefed the meeting that more than 10,365 points have been cleared through deep cleaning operations, while an additional 2,029 attendance points have been established for sanitation workers.
A new mobile application has also been developed for attendance and physical verification. Monitoring officers have been assigned to each union council to verify staff presence through the app. Daily meetings of managing directors have also been made mandatory to improve efficiency.
The chief minister directed that salaries of employees found absent after marking attendance should be deducted. She also made it mandatory for sanitation workers to wear uniforms and ensure cleanliness of sanitation vehicles.
Performance indicators for door to door cleanliness have been linked with physical verification, while container clearance will now require photographic evidence. A uniform AI-based end to end digital monitoring system is being introduced for both urban and rural areas.
Maryam Nawaz also directed the early completion of the waste to value project, saying that modern technology must be used to convert waste management into a productive and transparent system.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said the Suthra Punjab programme was “closest to her heart” and described cleanliness as more than just a government campaign.
“This is not merely a cleanliness project but a social transformation. Every process must be documented, transparent and aligned with KPIs,” she said.
She said the programme represented a relationship of trust between the government and the public, adding that complaints must be resolved immediately and the monitoring system should be made foolproof.
Maryam Nawaz said every village should have the same standard of cleanliness as cities and stressed that no area of Punjab should remain deprived of sanitation facilities.
The chief minister directed officials to ensure visible improvement across the province from the next day, saying this was not merely a target but a commitment. She said cleanliness was a shared responsibility of both the government and citizens and that the initiative aimed to create awareness at the grassroots level.
Referring to international examples, Maryam Nawaz cited countries such as Japan and Singapore, where cleanliness is maintained round the clock. She said field presence was essential for effective monitoring and remarked that spending one hour in the field was better than spending 100 hours in the office.
She warned that no corruption or political interference would be tolerated in the project and said undocumented work would not be accepted.
Calling sanitation workers “heroes,” the chief minister urged citizens to respect them and directed authorities to ensure that their wages are paid on time.
The meeting concluded with the reaffirmation that Suthra Punjab, now a large-scale initiative involving billions of rupees, advanced technology and a massive workforce, must deliver complete and visible results across the province.

Murree : ReNews Pakistan
The district administration has accelerated development work in Murree to upgrade the hill station’s infrastructure, improve tourism facilities and enhance the overall civic environment for residents and visitors.
Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi has directed the relevant departments to speed up ongoing improvement measures, particularly in areas that receive heavy tourist movement. The initiative focuses on main roads, tourist routes, public spaces, street infrastructure and basic municipal services.
Following these directions, the administration has started repainting roadside structures, boundary walls and important intersections to improve the city’s appearance. Restoration and repainting of streetlights is also underway to improve visibility and public safety, especially during nighttime hours.
Officials said sanitation services are being strengthened across Murree, while steps are also being taken to remove encroachments from major roads and busy commercial areas. The objective is to ensure smoother traffic flow and better public movement during peak tourism seasons.
According to the administration, the ongoing measures are part of a wider effort to preserve Murree’s natural beauty while bringing its civic and tourism infrastructure in line with modern standards. The growing number of domestic and international tourists has increased pressure on local facilities, making infrastructure improvement a key priority.
Officials added that the Punjab government’s broader modernization plan for Murree is being implemented at an accelerated pace. The plan includes improvements in civic amenities, traffic management, tourist services and public facilities.
Authorities expressed confidence that the development work will help transform Murree into a cleaner, more organised, attractive and safer tourist destination, while also improving the quality of life for local residents.