RAWALPINDI: Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Rawalpindi will begin work on a project to develop a park on 110 kanals of land along Rawal Road, next week.

PHA Managing Director Akram Soban told Dawn the land behind Benazir Bhutto Hospital will be turned into park for the people. “The Punjab government is providing Rs150 million for this purpose,” he said.

He said the PHA will develop a jogging track, a cricket ground, badminton, volleyball and basketball courts, gymnasium for women as well as a lake.

“International food chain McDonalds will also open an outlet in the park,” he said.

He said for the first time, a modern park will be constructed to provide recreational facilities for the residents. He said other parks will also be improved in the coming days.

He said the provincial government will spend one billion rupees on nine mega projects aimed at reconstructing and upgrading parks and grounds for cricket, hockey and other games in the garrison city.

He said three cricket and hockey field complete with pavilions had been completed in Government Muslim High School No.1, Rawalpindi, Government Jamia High School Dhoke Kashmirian and Government Waqar un Nisa Girls College.

He said a cricket ground in Tanki Wala Park in Khayaban-i-Sir Syed and one cricket ground in Government Postgraduate College for Boys 6th Road Rawalpindi will be constructed along with pavilions. Play grounds in Government Postgraduate College for women 6th Road, and Government Postgraduate College Asghar Mall, Rawalpindi will also be improved.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2014