RAWALPINDI, Nov 6: Residents of Chaman Zar Colony and Arya Mohalla in Union Council 45 along Murree Road have complained of poor sanitation conditions, saying garbage is lying in open plots and areas around Nullah Lai despite repeated complaints to the Suthra Punjab Authority.
Pakistan Citizen Rights Movement (PCRM) Chairman Zaheer Ahmed Awan expressed concern over the situation during a visit to the area. He said large quantities of waste had accumulated at several points, creating difficulties for residents and raising public health concerns.
According to Awan, his organisation had shared Google pin locations, videos, photographs and complaints regarding 10 different spots with the Suthra Punjab Authority, but the garbage had still not been removed.
He also pointed to blocked drains and open channels, saying stagnant wastewater was causing an unpleasant smell and increasing concerns about mosquitoes and the possible spread of dengue.
Awan said residents had also raised questions about the performance of field officers and the use of vehicles and other resources allocated for sanitation work. He further referred to complaints that garbage was being burned at some places instead of being properly collected and removed.
He urged the relevant authorities to clear garbage from open plots and areas around Nullah Lai, clean blocked drains and take preventive steps against dengue.
Awan also called for an assessment of the educational and technical qualifications and performance of operational officers, besides repairs to sanitation machinery and action where negligence was established.
He said citizens should also cooperate with the cleanliness campaign by placing waste in designated bins. However, he added that public cooperation could not replace the responsibility of government departments to provide proper sanitation services.
Awan warned that if the issue was not addressed promptly, his organisation would consider holding a protest against the Suthra Punjab Authority.
The complaints and allegations could not be independently verified. The response of the Suthra Punjab Authority was not included in the information provided.
