MUZAFFARABAD, 9 September, 2026(Kamran Raja): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to launch the “Suthra Kashmir” programme as part of its 100-day reform agenda, aiming to modernise and improve the waste management system across the territory. The initiative has been modelled on Punjab’s “Suthra Punjab” programme and will involve outsourcing solid waste management services to the private sector. Under the new system, private companies will be responsible for cleaning operations, while the government and relevant institutions will perform regulatory and supervisory functions. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Local Government and Rural Development Secretary Irshad Ahmed Qureshi, where officials discussed and finalised key measures for implementing the programme.The meeting was informed that advertisements inviting private waste management companies to provide their services would be published in newspapers within a week. Qureshi said that solid waste management services would be outsourced at the district level, with successful contractors responsible for providing the required machinery, vehicles and workforce. The government also plans to introduce uniform sanitation standards throughout AJK, including standardised designs for waste management machinery and uniforms for sanitation workers. A comprehensive system will be established for the collection, transportation and proper disposal of solid waste. Officials said the programme would cover not only major urban centres but also rural communities. At the village level, authorities will collaborate with elected local government representatives, youth councillors and women councillors to facilitate door-to-door waste collection and encourage community participation.
The “Suthra Kashmir” initiative is part of the government’s broader 100-day reform programme, which also includes the development of green spaces, procurement of new operational vehicles, establishment of model villages and beautification projects in urban areas. Mayors and representatives of municipal corporations welcomed the initiative and expressed their willingness to cooperate with private operators to improve sanitation services. Representatives of district councils also welcomed the inclusion of villages, highlighting the growing waste management challenges faced by rural communities. Officials further said ward councillors, youth representatives, women councillors and other elected representatives would participate in cleanliness campaigns to strengthen public involvement and promote a cleaner environment. The meeting was attended by Director General Local Government and Rural Development Tahir Ashraf, Local Government Board Secretary Ashfaq Ahmed Noor and other senior officials. Participants were briefed on the existing waste management situation in AJK, its environmental impact, the proposed model village programme, the “Suthra Punjab” model and waste management systems based on private-sector partnerships in other parts of South Asia.