LAHORE: On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Provincial Minister for Irrigation Kazim Pirzada said in a video message that Irrigation Department teams are fully mobilised to protect Jalalpur Pirwala.
He said the chief minister is receiving hourly updates from the area while the department continues to monitor water velocity and levels through gauges.
Pirzada stated that a technical committee had decided to reinforce Nooraja Bhatta Dam, with work under way from both sides using heavy machinery. Efforts are also being made to fill cracks along the motorway side and to pave an emergency path on the Lodhran side. He assured that Jalalpur city will remain safe and that water flow towards the motorway is gradually decreasing.
The minister acknowledged that devastating floods had displaced millions and affected 70 to 90 per cent of the population in Alipur and Jalalpur Pirwala, along with crops. He recalled that CM Maryam personally visited flood-hit areas, mobilising administration, Rescue 1122, Irrigation officials, and assembly members. A ministerial team, led by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, was deployed to Alipur for 10 days, working day and night on rescue and relief. Other ministers, including Khawaja Salman Rafique, Rana Sikandar Hayat, Sohaib Bherth and Pirzada himself, also supervised operations and aid distribution in Sultanpur, Shahbazpur and nearby areas.
Pirzada said Marriyum Aurangzeb convened urgent meetings with NHA, Sui Gas, and other departments after cracks appeared in the protective embankments, resulting in the formation of a high-level technical committee. He assured that all resources of Punjab are being utilised for relief, rehabilitation, and resettlement of the victims, adding that the flood-hit areas of Bahawalpur will also be formally declared disaster-affected.
He stressed that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s commitment to flood victims is unwavering, and she will soon announce a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. “Every citizen should be assured that Punjab is in safe hands, and no flood victim will be ignored,” Pirzada maintained.
Meanwhile, on the directions of CM Maryam Nawaz, emergency repair and restoration of roads is under way in flood-affected areas of the province.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Irrigation Minister Kazim Ali Pirzada, Communication Minister Sohaib Bharat, and Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat are personally supervising the operations.
Emergency teams have been deployed in Alipur to fill damaged roads and cracks, while the Communication and Works (C&W) Department is working round the clock to restore connectivity. Heavy machinery has been mobilised to address cracks caused by flood torrents. A temporary bridge constructed in Alipur has already been opened for public use, while repair of damaged roads in Khairpur Sadat has also begun.
According to the chief minister, cracks caused by flooding near Basti Desi, Kanwal Road, and Basti Azeem Shah have been successfully filled, while repair work on Mari Road in Azmatpur is in progress. She added that Khairpur Sultanpur Road has also been restored and opened for traffic.
Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz introduced an innovative waste disposal system aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices in the province.
In the first phase, a smart waste management process will be implemented across government and private educational institutions, where five coloured dustbins will be installed for separate collection of different types of waste.
Senior Minister for Environment and Climate Change Marriyum Aurangzeb will supervise the initiative, while Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique have been given clear targets with a Sept 30 deadline. Inspections will begin from October 1, and fines will be imposed on institutions failing to comply.
According to the plan, paper waste will be collected in yellow bins, bottles and glass in green, food and organic waste in purple/gray, metal in red, and plastic in orange. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a notification and will certify institutions that meet standards, while also conducting regular inspections. Schools can also contact the Punjab Management Helpline (1139) for waste collection.
Maryam Nawaz said the initiative aims to reduce waste and encourage responsible behaviour among students, ensuring that reusable materials are effectively recycled.
Meanwhile, the chief minister strongly condemned the murder of Assistant Commissioner Ziarat Muhammad Afzal and his son at the hands of kidnappers. She extended condolences to the bereaved family, paying tribute to their sacrifice.
Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz’s government earned recognition for protecting not only human lives but also livestock during the recent floods. Taking notice of rising fodder prices in affected areas, she directed the authorities to ensure uninterrupted supply of silage, vanda and fodder for animals.
Provincial Minister for Livestock Ashiq Kirmani briefed the chief minister that 4.7 million livestock were impacted across Punjab. Of these, 2.2 million were safely relocated to secure areas, 500,000 were treated on-site, and 2 million were vaccinated. He added that 824 animals had been reported missing.
