PHA facing funds shortage for Pindi parks beautification

Rawalpindi

The Parks and Horticulture Agency (PHA) is facing shortage of funds and is unable to enforce projects which are in the pipeline.

Credible sources told ‘The News’ that the Punjab government had though allocated a grant of Rs150 million to Parks and Horticulture Agency  for revamping of parks, beautification of Rawalpindi city through greenery projects, however, the announced amount has yet not been released for which enforcement of works on these projects remains delayed.

The sources informed that PHA requires a sum of Rs45 million for the rehabilitation and revamping of Nawaz Sharif Park at Shamshabad. A plan was prepared for this objective, however, due to non availability of required funds; it remains unimplemented for the last two years. At present 49 parks are under the control of Parks and Horticulture Agency  out of which 2 are major including Liaquat Bagh and Nawaz Sharif Park.

According to sources, the Nawaz Sharif Park is needed to be rehabilitated including changing of benches, improvement of landscape besides other things.

Similarly, the sources regretted that the condition and beautification of Liaquat Bagh is affected largely when public meetings are held over here. A loss of Rs 500,000 has occurred during public meetings at Liaquat Bagh.  Because of funds shortage, revamping of Liaquat Bagh is also not possible, the sources claimed.

On approaching, the Parks and Horticulture Agency  Director General Dr. Malik Abid Mahmood answered in affirmative that the Punjab government has allocated funds worth Rs150 million. He said that the release of funds would be made in short future.

The Punjab government has now made Malik Abrar, Chairman of Parks and Horticulture Agency , who has assured the matter of release of funds would be discussed with the Punjab Chief Minister in order to achieve positive results. Malik Abrar since taking over the charge of Parks and Horticulture Agency  as chairman, is working keenly on enforcement of beautification and greenery projects besides rehabilitation of all big and small
parks which also include Nawaz Sharif Park and Liaquat Bagh.

To a question, the director general observed that even the provincial government releases Rs60 million, then the work on the project of complete rehabilitation of Nawaz Sharif Park would be initiated and would be completed on war footing.

Besides carrying works on beautification of city, parks through greenery and landscape, Parks and Horticulture Agency  for recreation of people is holding Jashn-e-Bahaaran from March 31st to April 10 this year.

The significance of this festival would be flower exhibition to be participated by all bodies and people. Government departments like RCB, CCB, CMH, Military Hospital, PWD etc have expressed concern in participating in the flower exhibition. Besides flower exhibition, food stalls and games for children would also be organized, Malik Abid added.