Trees are archives of the Pindi soul

Rawalpindi:I still remember the morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of banyan and ‘peepal’ trees lining the old streets of Rawalpindi. Their roots gripped the soil like ancient memories. Each walk revealed a different chapter, from the Cantonment focus to the ‘neem’ trees shadowing narrow alleys in Raja Bazaar. It was a rediscovery of heritage — the enduring spirit of a city etched into every leaf.

“Before the concrete, the cables, and the clamour of modern Rawalpindi, there were the trees. Towering banyans that arched over the old city streets like protective elders. ‘Neem’ trees, whose bitter leaves once served as childhood cures. ‘Gulmohars’ that burst into flame-red blooms every spring, painting parks and schoolyards with forgotten wonder. However, those who walk through Rawalpindi with open eyes and quiet hearts still find them — reminders of a greener, slower past,” says Dildar Ali.

“On a recent morning, I began my journey starting at the storied Liaquat Bagh. Once known as ‘Company Bagh’ during British rule, the park has witnessed everything from political rallies to quiet afternoon strolls. However, what remains constant are its trees - ‘jamuns’, ‘peepals’, and laburnums that offer not just shade, but memory. Elderly visitors still recall climbing them as children, or sitting beneath them during turbulent times,” says Abis Raza.