RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Citizen Rights Movement (PCRM) Chairman Zaheer Ahmed Awan has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating sanitation situation in Union Council 32, Amarpura, in the inner city, saying that garbage dumped in open plots and blocked drains are creating conditions for foul smell, flies and mosquitoes.
In a statement, Mr Awan said small drains in the area were filled with waste, causing water to remain stagnant. He said such stagnant water was providing breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes and flies, raising serious public health concerns.
He questioned the performance of the Suthra Punjab initiative, saying that despite repeated complaints and identification of dirty spots through Google pin locations by residents on a self-help basis, proper cleaning had not been carried out.
Mr Awan alleged that field officers were not visible in the area and claimed that instead of lifting garbage, waste was being set on fire. He also criticised the use of large luxury vehicles with free petrol, saying officials were not performing their field duties.
The PCRM chairman demanded that the educational qualifications, expertise in environmental studies and professional experience of Suthra Punjab’s operational officers be examined. He said appointments and postings should be made on merit instead of political recommendation.
PCRM also demanded immediate removal of garbage from open plots, replacement of damaged waste bins, repair of smoke-emitting vehicles and sanitation machinery, and accountability of officers responsible for negligence.
Mr Awan appealed to citizens to take part in cleanliness efforts on a self-help basis, dispose of garbage in waste bins and identify dirty spots in their areas. He said public cooperation was necessary for cleanliness, but government departments could not be allowed to neglect their basic responsibility.
