(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(Tayyab Habib Khan Bureau Chief Sahiwal Division)
Sahiwal Division Takes a Major Step Toward Climate-Resilient and Community-Centric Waste Management
The Urban Unit, in collaboration with the Local Government & Community Development Department (LG&CDD), the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and Akhtar Hameed Khan Foundation, organized the Launch Ceremony of Solid Waste Management (SWM) Strategy for Sahiwal Division 2040 at the Commissioner’s Office, Sahiwal. The event marked a significant milestone towards establishing an integrated, climate-resilient, and community-centered waste management system for the division. The ceremony commenced with opening remarks from Commissioner Sahiwal Dr. Asif Tufail and a representative from UNEP-IETC. He emphasized the urgency of adopting sustainable, forward-looking waste management solutions to meet the growing needs of the urban population. The formal launch of the strategy was conducted by Mr. Amir Suhail Kaifi, Additional Secretary, LG&CDD Lahore, who appreciated Urban Unit’s technical leadership in developing a comprehensive roadmap aligned with provincial priorities. A detailed presentation of the Solid Waste Management Strategy 2040 was delivered by Mr. Asif Iqbal, GM Solid Waste Management, the Urban Unit, who outlined the strategic vision, key pillars, phased interventions, infrastructure planning, financial modeling, and institutional strengthening mechanisms designed to modernize waste management systems across Sahiwal Division. Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, Dr. Ayesha Khan, CEO Akhtar Hameed Khan Foundation, presented on Community-Centric and inclusive Waste Management approaches. She stressed that sustainable waste systems must actively engage communities, informal waste workers, and local stakeholders to ensure long-term behavioral change and ownership. On the occasion, Mr. Omar Masud, CEO The Urban Unit, stated: “The Solid Waste Management Strategy 2040 is not merely a document; it is a transformative roadmap that integrates data-driven planning, climate resilience, and institutional reform.” The event concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Miho Hayashi, Program Manager, IGES, who underscored the importance of aligning regional strategies with global environmental commitments and sustainable development goals. The launch ceremony concluded with a plenary discussion and Q&A session, bringing together policymakers, technical experts, development partners, and local stakeholders. The event represents a decisive step toward achieving a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Sahiwal Division by 2040.
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