Islamabad 21st August 2024: A significant milestone was achieved today in Lahore with the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Zindigi- Powered by JS Bank and the Waste Management Companies across Punjab. Punjab Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafiq was the chief guest on this occasion. Special Secretary Local Government Department Asia Gul, Chief Officer Zindigi Noman Azhar & Chief Business Officer Zindigi Atif Ishaque were also present during the ceremony. The collaboration between the Local Government & Community Development (LG&CD) department marks a giant leap toward advancing the digitization of local government services under the “Suthra Punjab” initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Zindigi is playing a key role in modernizing Punjab’s waste management sector through its innovative solutions for digital fee collection and payment enablement for businesses and households. This transformative project unites eight waste management companies from across the province, driving a major digitization effort to achieve certain objectives set by the chief minister. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Suthra Punjab” initiative aims to ensure uniform cleanliness at all levels and enhance the quality of life throughout Punjab. Addressing the ceremony, the Minister for LG & CD Zeeshan Rafiq commended “Zindigi” for its commitment to support the initiative. “Under the visionary leadership of CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab Government is dedicated to making the ‘Suthra Punjab’ initiative a resounding success”, he figured out. He observed that this public-private partnership will not only help waste management companies achieve their digitization goals but also improve efficiency and transparency in the field of fee payments and complaints registration. “With the launch of the Digital Fee Collection Solution, citizens will be able to make digital payments seamlessly, and waste management companies’ employees will benefit from Zindigi’s payroll and other digitization solutions”, he noted.
The Minister reminded that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif promised to provide maximum jobs to the youth of Punjab after taking the oath. “Under the Suthra Punjab program, approximately one lac new jobs will be created. Is this a small success within the first 6 months?”, said Mr. Rafiq. He added that PMLN president Nawaz Sharif and CM Punjab both want to provide all possible facilities to the masses. Rafiq said that digitization is the need of the hour. “Cash payments gradually lost value across the world, we have to move forward by making Punjab a digitization-friendly province”, he said.
Speaking on this occasion Noman Azhar, Chief Officer of Zindigi, highlighted the digitization initiative. “Our mission at Zindigi is to propel Pakistan’s digitization forward. We are thrilled to contribute significantly to the ‘Suthra Punjab’ initiative, led by CM Maryam Nawaz. Our commitment to innovation and collaboration with the public sector aims to enhance waste management processes through digital fee collection, payroll solutions, and overall digital payments across Punjab”, he said. Noman Azhar also commended tireless efforts made by the CEO of Lahore Waste Management Company Babar Sahib Din, Secretary LG&CD Shakeel Ahmed Mian, and Special Secretary Asia Gul for advancement in the digitization initiative.
This collaboration is set to bring enhanced efficiency and transparency to waste management processes across Punjab, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future for the province