Work on Shahbaz Sharif Sports Complex near completion

Rawalpindi

More than 90 per cent construction work has been completed here at state-of-the -art Shahbaz Sharif Sports Complex at Rawal Road while 60 per cent work of Dhok Munshi Public Park has been completed. The newly established parks in the jurisdiction of Municipal Administration Potohar Town will be completed at a cost of Rs237 million.

The first phase of work at Rawal Road multi-Sports Complex, named after Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is near completion with the cost of around Rs87 million, which includes state-of-the-art swimming pool, practice pitches, volleyball and basketball courts, boundary walls and international-standard pavilion. Similarly, 60 per cent construction work of first ever Public Park Dhoke Munshi at a cost of Rs150 million will be completed soon.

Park & Horticultural Authority (PHA) Managing Director (MD) Dr. Malik Abid Mehmood told ‘The News’ that Punjab government has given us 90-kanal land for the construction of Shahbaz Sharif Sports Park at Rawal Road while 115-kanal land for the construction of Public Park in Dhoke Munshi. “Construction work is still going on at both parks and they will be completed soon,” he claimed. He also said that Punjab government is continuously releasing funds to complete both projects.

He also said that they were also renovating 8 other parks in Rawalpindi. “We are improving the condition of Qari Khushi Muhammad Park, Al-Furqan Park, Hilal Park, Ladies Park near Chandni Chowk, Dhoke Khillo Khan Park, Dhok Hassu Park and Khayaban-e-Sir Syed Park,” he added.

Dr Mahmood said Punjab government has also planned to construct Pakistan Sports Complex-type sports infrastructure in Rawalpindi to help the youth take advantage of different sports facilities under one roof.

It is worth mentioning here that there are total 46 parks in Rawalpindi but most of the parks are in poor condition and have not been maintained for years.

The inhabitants of Rawalpindi have demanded of the authorities concerned to build new parks and playgrounds in different areas to further facilitate the families and youth. The concerned management needs to build more playgrounds and parks in Rawalpindi to provide maximum recreational spots to the people.

Talking to ‘The News’ the inhabitants said at present the number of play grounds and parks are less than the need of masses. As the population is increased over these grounds and parks are not sufficient to cater the public needs, they said.

Riaz Ahmed Qureshi a senior citizen said that already we are cutting trees continuously in every area. We are needed to more and more recreational spots to make healthy atmosphere all around, he said. He said population of the twin cities has increased manifold with the passage of time, so the existing parks and playgrounds are not sufficient to accommodate the public demands.