Punjab Province

Lahore: Husnain Aulakh, Special Correspondent | ReNews Pakistan
Following the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a key meeting was held under the chairmanship of Housing Secretary Punjab Noor-ul-Amin Mengal to ensure the uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water to citizens during the holy month of Ramadan. The meeting reviewed a comprehensive strategy to keep all water filtration plants under the Punjab Clean Water Authority fully operational.
The Housing Secretary instructed that the provision of safe and high-quality drinking water to citizens must not be disrupted under any circumstances. Relevant authorities were directed to remain on high alert and keep field teams fully mobilized. He emphasized that regular cleaning and maintenance of water filtration plants must be ensured to maintain the highest water quality standards.
During the meeting, the CEO of Punjab Clean Water Authority provided a briefing on the proposed plan and outlined arrangements to meet the increased water demand during Ramadan. The Housing Secretary further instructed that the monitoring system be strengthened to ensure the prompt resolution of any public complaints, and that any issues related to plant malfunctions be addressed immediately.
Secretary Housing Noor-ul-Amin Mengal made it clear that no negligence will be tolerated in the water supply system. He stressed that clean drinking water is a fundamental right of every citizen, and providing high-quality water is a core responsibility of the government. He added that ensuring the provision of safe water is the foundation of a healthy society, and all relevant departments must fully perform their responsibilities.

Pattoki : Sadaf Arshad District Reporter | ReNews Pakistan
Under the directives of Deputy Commissioner Kasur Asif Raza, Assistant Commissioner Pattoki Nishtar Rehman Lodhi conducted a detailed inspection of Ramadan Sahulat Bazaars and designated Nigahban Dastarkhwan locations across Pattoki during the holy month of Ramadan. The review aimed to ensure that all sites allocated for public use remain fully functional, well-equipped, and efficiently managed to provide maximum convenience to residents.
During the visit, Nishtar Rehman Lodhi assessed the available facilities, seating arrangements, hygiene standards, and lighting at the designated locations. Staff were instructed to maintain these areas meticulously and promptly address any shortcomings to ensure that citizens receive organized, reliable, and high-quality services.
Special attention was given to ensuring easy access, parking arrangements, and other basic amenities at designated sites. Additionally, areas associated with commercial activity, land use, and property were also reviewed to confirm that all operations comply with regulations and urban planning standards, preventing unauthorized or unplanned structures from disrupting public convenience and site functionality.
Nishtar Rehman Lodhi emphasized that maintaining fully operational and well-organized public spaces during Ramadan is a top priority for the district administration. He instructed staff to continuously monitor facilities, hygiene, and infrastructure so that citizens can access dignified and orderly services, while designated sites remain safe, clean, and fully functional throughout the holy month.

Kasur : District Reporter Sadaf Arshad | ReNews Pakistan
Pursuant to the explicit instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Deputy Commissioner of Kasur Asif Raza led a detailed field inspection of the operational Sahulat Bazaars (facilitation markets) and specialized Ramadan Nigahban Camps throughout the district during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak.
The inspection focused on delivering meaningful relief to citizens by ensuring price stability, superior product quality, and consistent availability of essential food items — core commitments of the Rs 40–47 billion Ramzan Nigehban Package 2026. This flagship provincial initiative supports 4–4.2 million low-income families with Rs 10,000 cash assistance each (via user-friendly Nigehban ATM cards with no fees or PIN requirements), subsidized shopping at Sahulat/Ramadan markets (now fully activated province-wide with items up to 15% below DC rates), daily Nigehban Dastarkhwan iftar arrangements (serving millions across tehsils), and enhanced monitoring to curb artificial price hikes.
The Deputy Commissioner examined numerous stalls and outlets firsthand, rigorously evaluating:
• Compliance with government-notified fixed prices
• Quality, hygiene, and freshness of commodities
• Adequate stock levels to avoid artificial shortages
He confirmed the mandatory prominent display of official rate charts at all points of sale and the exclusive use of calibrated, accurate weighing scales. Vendors, staff, and market operators received firm directives to maximize public convenience, adhere strictly to prescribed rates without exception, and prioritize transparent, hassle-free service.
A comprehensive daily monitoring framework remains active across the district (and province) throughout Ramadan to prevent inflation, hoarding, short-weighting, and unjust profiteering. This includes routine price audits, hygiene inspections, and administrative oversight to sustain an organized, clean, and equitable shopping environment for all citizens.
Reaffirming the administration's unwavering stance, the Deputy Commissioner stressed that ensuring high-quality essentials at subsidized, government-fixed prices is the absolute top priority. He issued a stern warning: indiscriminate and immediate enforcement actions — including heavy fines, stock seizures, FIRs, and legal proceedings — will be pursued against any violators, with no leniency for hoarding, under-weighing, substandard sales, or overcharging.
The district administration urges residents to report any irregularities promptly — such as price violations, poor-quality goods, or non-compliance — via local control rooms, designated helplines (including the provincial “Maryam Ko Batain” helpline 1000 for rapid redress), or other channels. Every credible complaint will trigger swift intervention.
These localized enforcement efforts align seamlessly with CM Maryam Nawaz's broader vision for Ramadan 2026: delivering relief directly to doorsteps (with over 4 lakh cards already distributed and full rollout progressing), eliminating long queues through digital transparency, providing iftar support via Nigehban Dastarkhwan, converting regular Sahulat Bazaars into enhanced Ramadan markets, and ensuring no family faces undue hardship amid rising costs. Similar inspections, price controls, and relief distribution are intensifying across all Punjab districts to uphold fairness, hygiene, public health, and compassion during the sacred month.
For complaints or inquiries: Use helpline 1000 (“Maryam Ko Batain”) or district-specific channels. The Punjab government remains committed to dignified, transparent welfare for every deserving household.