LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to launch a comprehensive operation to prevent the discharge of toxic waste water and chemicals into drains across the province.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb that discussed a detailed plan for the rehabilitation and reform of Punjab`s drainage system.

The meeting emphasised strict implementation of the Punjab Drains Act and the Local Government Act.

Directives were also issued to recover damages from the entitiesresponsible for environmental degradation and a complete ban has been imposed on dumping industrial and municipal waste into all drains, including the Hadyara Drain.

Addressing the meeting, Ms Aurangzeb said protection of environmental and the public health is a key government priority, adding that environmental projects have been included in the annual development programme. She expressed confidence that collaboration between the government and industries would ensure a safe environment.

Separately, the minister responded to the statements made bysome Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders, saying that the `PTI circus is back` with its `old script of lies, drama, and nonstop wailing.

In a statement, she remarked that those with `empty hands and no performance shout loudly.

She further stated that the `despair of those defeated has reached its peak.

She added that the PTI has indeed `ruined everything` and has `neither a plan, nor a sense of shame.

The minister concluded by saying that `all they [the PTI leaders] have been left with is non-stop propaganda. Staff Reporter