GUJRAT: Twelve cities of Punjab have been selected for the Clean and Green Pakistan Index (CGPI), which is going to be launched by the Ministry of Climate Change at a ceremony on Nov 25 at Convention Centre, Islamabad.

The cities included metropolitan corporations of Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Okara and Bahawalpur as well as municipal corporations Gujrat, Sialkot and Murree (Rawalpindi).

These cities were among the 19 cities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that would compete on certain basic themes of public interest. The best performers will be judged on addressing issues such as safe drinking water, solid waste management, liquid waste management, city beautification, cleanliness of streets, usability of parks, tree plantation, total sanitation/ hygiene and community participation.

These cities have been selected with the approval of the federal cabinet, and the prime minister will launch the index as a chief guest. Adviser to the PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam will share the details of the index at the ceremony. The national campaign underpins the behavioral change and institutional strengthening through a healthy competition followed by incentives for the best performing provinces.

A senior administrative official said that the main objectives of launching the CGPI was to strengthen knowledge and practices among the communities about cleanliness and climate change, citizens voice and accountability, ensure participation of citizens as an integral part of clean and green Pakistan as well as create a healthy competitive environment among the cities for sustainability.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2019