LAHORE:
The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Community Development on Tuesday took up the Suthra Punjab Authority Bill 2025, a proposed law that introduces a province-wide sanitation regime backed by stringent fines and prison terms for serious environmental and waste-related violations.
The meeting, chaired by MPA Muhammad Ashraf Rasool, was also attended by officers from the relevant departments.
Committee members conducted a clause-by-clause review of the bill, which aims to overhaul solid waste management, regulate sanitation services, promote recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives, and ensure a clean, healthy and sustainable environment across Punjab.
Under the proposed law, a Suthra Punjab Authority will be established as a statutory body with the chief minister of Punjab as chairperson and the minister for local government and community development as vice chairperson. The authority will include the secretaries of finance, housing, environment and local government, all divisional commissioners, four technical experts — including at least one woman — and a director general. The authority will be empowered to set policies and standards, approve fees, regulate service providers, and monitor the performance of district-level agencies.
At the operational level, the bill proposes the creation of a Suthra Punjab Agency in every district, headed by the deputy commissioner, to manage collection, transportation, treatment and safe disposal of solid waste. These agencies will also be responsible for licensing, enforcement, public awareness and execution of waste-to-energy and recycling projects directly or through outsourcing.
A key feature of the draft law is its enforcement framework and penalties.
Under it, waste management inspectors will be authorised to issue warnings, impose on-the-spot tickets, and initiate prosecutions. For routine violations such as littering, improper disposal of garbage, failure to maintain clean premises, or illegal dumping, proposed fines range from Rs1,000 to Rs50,000 depending on the nature of the offence and whether the violator is a residential, commercial or industrial entity. Repeat offences may attract double fines.
More serious offences fall under criminal liability.
Burning of solid waste or tyres, obstructing inspectors, or actions that endanger public health may result in fines of up to Rs500,000, imprisonment for three to seven years, or both. The bill also allows for registration of first information reports (FIRs) in such cases, with summary trials before magistrates.
During deliberations, members stressed that effective implementation, transparency and oversight would be crucial to the success of the proposed authority.
