Lahore, August 21, 2024 – In a significant move towards advancing the digitization of local government services, Zindigi—Powered by JS Bank—signed a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Waste Management Companies across Punjab today. The landmark event was held in Lahore, with Punjab Minister for Local Government, Zeeshan Rafiq, serving as the chief guest. The ceremony was also attended by Special Secretary of the Local Government Department Asia Gul, Zindigi Chief Officer Noman Azhar, and Zindigi Chief Business Officer Atif Ishaque.
This collaboration marks a pivotal step in the “Suthra Punjab” initiative, an ambitious program championed by Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, aimed at ensuring uniform cleanliness and improving the quality of life throughout the province. The partnership between Zindigi and the Local Government & Community Development (LG&CD) department represents a major leap forward in the modernization of Punjab’s waste management sector through the adoption of innovative digital solutions for fee collection and payment enablement.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Zeeshan Rafiq praised Zindigi for its commitment to supporting the “Suthra Punjab” initiative. “Under the visionary leadership of CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab Government is dedicated to making the ‘Suthra Punjab’ initiative a resounding success,” Rafiq stated. He emphasized that this public-private partnership will not only aid waste management companies in achieving their digitization goals but also enhance efficiency and transparency in fee payments and complaint registrations. “The launch of the Digital Fee Collection Solution will allow citizens to make seamless digital payments, while waste management employees will benefit from Zindigi’s payroll and other digitization solutions,” he added.
The Minister also highlighted the commitment of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to creating job opportunities for the youth of Punjab. “The ‘Suthra Punjab’ program is expected to generate approximately 100,000 new jobs in its first six months alone,” Rafiq remarked. He further noted that both PMLN President Nawaz Sharif and CM Punjab are committed to providing all possible facilities to the public, with digitization being a key priority. “Cash payments are becoming obsolete worldwide. We must advance by making Punjab a digitization-friendly province,” he asserted.
Noman Azhar, Chief Officer of Zindigi, reiterated the organization’s dedication to driving Pakistan’s digitization. “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,” Azhar said. He also lauded the efforts of CEO Lahore Waste Management Company Babar Sahib Din, Secretary LG&CD Shakeel Ahmed Mian, and Special Secretary Asia Gul in advancing the digitization initiative.
This collaboration is poised to bring greater efficiency and transparency to waste management processes across Punjab, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future for the province.
