RAWALPINDI: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has started work on the beautification of Committee Chowk underpass on Murree Road and is installing lights on the walls.

A year ago, after the construction of the metro bus track, the National Logistic Cell had installed ceramic tiles on the walls of the underpass and the PHA is now working on improving it by installing light patterns on the walls.The authority is also planning on landscaping along various roads next week.

“We will start work on the beautification of the walls and gate of the District and Sessions Court on Jhelum Road and Kutchery Chowk,” said PHA Director General Dr Malik Abid.

Talking to Dawn, he said that people will feel a difference when they come into the city after the authority is done with the beautification work. He said work on the Committee Chowk underpass had been started with the PHA’s own funds.

However, he said, the Punjab government will be releasing Rs24 million and that the authority will use this money to improve the condition of three parks including in Khayaban-i-Sir Syed, Dhoke Hassu and Banni, at the back of the Banni police station as well as the boundary walls of the commissioner’s offices and the district and sessions courts.

The PHA has made plans for turning Liaquat Bagh into a modern park, he said.

“Political gatherings will be banned in the park and a sculpture of former Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan will be placed at the site where he was assassinated,” he said.

Mr Abid said that various art pieces depicting the history and culture of the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will also placed in the park.

The 65-kanal Liaquat Bagh has been facing neglect in the past. Two prime ministers - Liaquat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto- were assassinated in the park and the federal and provincial governments never made a memorial for them there.

Residents of the city expressed mixed reactions to the PHA’s beautification plans. Some of them appreciated the initiative while others said that Raja Bazaar and Fawara Chowk should be improved first.

A resident of the city, Hassan Ali said the civic authorities should plant trees on Murree Road till Raja Bazaar and establish flower beds as well.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2017