Punjab on Tuesday launched Chamkta Lahore, a provincial cleanliness and anti-smog campaign meant to improve sanitation, cut airborne dust and keep roads and public spaces cleaner across the provincial capital. The drive began on the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique inaugurated the campaign at a ceremony at Liberty Chowk. Special Assistant to the chief minister Shoaib Mirza, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Ali Ijaz and the chief executive of the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), the city’s waste authority, also attended. The minister and Shoaib Mirza operated anti-smog mist guns at the event and checked how they work.
What the campaign will do
Zeeshan Rafique told reporters that Chamkta Lahore sits under the chief minister’s vision of a clean Punjab. A main feature is the supply of 10 anti-smog mist guns mounted on rickshaws. These lower-cost machines spray water into the air to settle dust and support the city’s road-washing work.
The campaign will concentrate on major roads, busy corridors and commercial areas. Officials have initially identified 100 major roads, locations and commercial markets for focused cleaning. About 648 kilometres of roads are to be washed every week, with a daily target of 100 kilometres. Sixteen mechanical washing machines will clean roads, while 46 rickshaw-mounted washers will clean footpaths.
Officials on smog and sanitation
The minister said anti-smog steps taken by the provincial government over the past two years had shown encouraging results, and that smog levels in November were noticeably lower than those recorded two years earlier. He expressed confidence that the initiative would make Lahore cleaner and help efforts to fight smog and improve air quality.
He also pointed to wider provincial work on roads, healthcare, education and urban beautification, saying development was moving from major cities down to union councils and that public welfare projects aimed to raise people’s quality of life. Shoaib Mirza praised sanitation workers as heroes whose labour keeps the city clean, and said the chief minister’s initiative would later be extended to all districts so benefits reach people across Punjab.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Past two years: Punjab introduces successive anti-smog measures, which officials say have shown encouraging results.
- This November: The local government minister says smog levels are noticeably lower than those recorded two years ago.
- Tuesday: Chamkta Lahore is launched at Liberty Chowk with mist guns demonstrated and cleaning targets announced.
- Next steps: The special assistant says the initiative is to be extended to all districts of Punjab.
The provincial government expects the campaign to strengthen urban sanitation while supporting its wider strategy against air pollution and smog.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Punjab ne Lahore mein Chamkta Lahore naam ki safai aur smog-rokne wali campaign shuru ki hai. Is mein 10 mist guns rickshawon par lagayi jayengi jo hawa mein pani spray karke dhool kam karengi. Har hafta lagbhag 648 kilometer sadkein dhoyi jayengi, aur shuru mein 100 bari sadkein aur bazaar target hain. Is se sheher ki safai behtar hone aur dhool-dhawan kam hone ki umeed hai, khas tor par un logon ke liye jo roz sadkon aur bazaaron se guzarte hain.
