Throughout the Punjab province Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has been the main force behind the implementation of a program for enhancing the beautification of development projects, through use of horticulture.
Every city or town in Punjab is famous for one thing or the other. However, for Lahoris all arguments cease to matter before the simple motto – Lahore Lahore ae (Lahore is Lahore).
Almost 300 parks were restored in their original shape and all shops present there were removed for the provision of better recreational facilities to the people. Jallo Park was transformed into a park of international standard.
LAHORE Feb 12 (TNS): In pursuance of the motto the Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has always stressed that the Punjab government believes in ‘practical measures’ rather than ‘hollow slogans. he began the beautification of the Punjab province including the provincial metropolis, Lahore.
China famous for completing projects speedily also gave the name of Punjab Speed to the projects being completed speedily under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif.
He made Lahore a “City of Gardens” in order to provide better environment as well as recreational facilities to its residents. A comprehensive strategy was evolved to spend Rs480 million for providing recreational facilities in the parks of the city.
Almost 300 parks were restored in their original shape and all shops present there were removed for the provision of better recreational facilities to the people. Jallo Park was transformed into a park of international standard.
New projects like Ravi Park, Jallo Botanical Park, Expo Center Johar Town, Green House, Lahore-Kasur road and Canal Bank road Landscape were undertaken. Souvenir shops were set up in the parks of Lahore.
Shehbaz restored the historical and cultural heritage of the city for promoting tourism; Punjab Garden Project was approved to improve all the parks and tourists’ spots of the province. The approval of the Lahore Tree Project to import 25,000 trees, with the cooperation of private sector, was approved to give the city a green look.
The chief minister took revolutionary measures to beautify the city and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) was activated for this purpose. He directed the officials concerned to evolve short and long term strategies for this purpose and also present a six-month comprehensive plan regarding future projects of the beautification of the city.
Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated splendid Greater Iqbal Park Project. Opportunities of best recreational facilities were made available for the citizens in Greater Iqbal Park comprising over 120 acre land and this project is a landmark in connection with culture of Pakistan.
Under the Leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab government made Greater Iqbal Park, which increased the beauty of Lahore, upon which, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his entire team deserves appreciation.
Greater Iqbal Park was equipped with world standard fountains and flowers to make it a center for local and foreign tourists.
Shehbaz started a project to set a company, comprising gardeners of the PHA and ordered to include them in different projects of beautification of the city but also to ensure that none of them should be jobless. He also directed to outsource major projects, saying that all major banks and other organizations be given the responsibility of establishing and looking after the parks.
To restore the original fabric of the Walled City, Shahbaz Sharif’s Government of Punjab initiated many projects for the sustainable development of Lahore city.
The objective of the projects was to preserve the Culture and Heritage along with providing the modern living facilities to the residents of Lahore. The project also aspired to promote the tourism and economic potential of Lahore.
The Pilot Project envisaged the creation of 1.6 km long heritage trail (Shahi Guzargah) that leads from Delhi Gate to Masti Gate. The royal trail connects along many of the heritage monuments like Shahi Hamam, Masjid Wazir Khan, Sonehri Masjid and Begum Shahi Masjid.
Package- 1 was marked out of the Royal Trail which was from Delhi Gate to Chowk Purani Kotwali. This Pilot Project Package -1 entailed complete restoration and renovation of the entire built heritage, as well as all the urban infrastructure and general services like electricity, gas, telecommunication and water sewerage systems. The total cost for the Pilot Project Package -1 (Delhi Gate to Chowk Kotwali) was Rs.1359.778 million , out of which Rs. 724.518 were allocated for Urban Rehabilitation and Infrastructure Improvement. The project had 49% Government of Punjab and 51% World Bank share. A total number of 57 streets and main Royal Trail starting from Delhi Gate up till Chowk Kotwali were restored in this first phase.
To implement the work in Package 1, a Resettlement Action Plan was devised to compensate the dislocated encroachers, shopkeepers, daily vendors and sellers. This plan was devised after several surveys and was implemented with the approval of Government of Punjab and the World Bank. Total amount of Rs. 14.00 million was allocated for removing the encroachers and paying them suitable compensations.
The first phase of beautification of the city was started from Nov 15 and completed by March 2009, the new projects included the Ravi Park, the Jallo Botanical Park, the Expo Centre, Johar Town, the Green House, the Lahore-Kasur Road and the Canal Bank Road Landscape. Souvenir shops were set up in the parks of the city.
The CM promoted horticulture and approved construction of three forest parks in Lahore. A strategy was evolved for the promotion of plantation and horticulture in the province, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif himself presiding over the meetings to review steps to be taken in this regard.
During the meetings projects were approved to construct forest parks at three sites in Lahore. One of the parks was established at Raiwind and two in Jallo area.
Model parks for special people were also envisaged. Shahbaz Sharif ordered that development projects should not neglect the horticulture component. Horticulture enhances the beauty of the cities. The work for improving recreational facilities and rehabilitation of parks was accelerated.
A steering committee was constituted for the promotion of plantation. The committee ensured timely completion of projects relating to horticulture, plantation, landscaping and rehabilitation of parks,” he said.
Parks were also developed on railway lands. The responsibility to look after these parks was given to railway authorities.
Action was also taken against encroachments on public parks. A comprehensive plan was formulated for removing encroachments permanently.
A comprehensive plan to set up picnic points and promotion of horticulture from Dharampura to Wagha Border was formulated.
The process of beautification of metro bus route, stations and bridges was accelerated. Modern technology was utilized for the promotion of horticulture, plantation of trees and rehabilitation of parks.
The Parks Horticulture Authority was asked to recruit officials from Grade 1 to 17 through the National Testing Service. An annual Eidi allowance of Rs2,000 for its employees in Grade 1 to 10 was approved. A similar allowance was awarded to non-Muslim employees for their religious occasions.
Legislation was introduced to punish those felling trees unlawfully. A draft of an amendment to the PHA Act, 2012, was approved to introduce the legislation.
The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) planted 1,000 trees along the stretch from Qurtaba Chowk on Jail Road to Liberty Roundabout on Gulberg’s Main Boulevard to compensate for the trees cut during the construction of the signal-free corridor. The number of trees planted doubled the number cut or damaged during the construction phase.
PHA planted at least 600 trees along the stretch on Jail Road from Qartaba Chowk to Fowara Chowk. Ashok tree species were planted on the green belt in the median and Amaltas, Alstonia, Ficus and Gul Mohur species on green belts along the outer edge of the corridor.
During construction of the corridor around 125 trees were cut along the stretch of Gulberg’s Main Boulevard from Siddique Trade Center to Liberty Roundabout. These were replaced with 400 trees. The species planted along the stretch were Bougainvillea and Berri Patta. The landscaping on verges, triangles, and U-turns featured flowering plants.
The PHA also ensured that indigenous tree species that are known to attract greater number of birds are planted along the corridor.
All development projects were decorated with the flowers and plants to enhance the beauty of Lahore.
The chief minister also announced a cash prize of Rs5,000 for each gardener (Mali) and head gardener (Head Mali) of PHA working in parks and fountains constructed in front of Allama Iqbal International Airport.
The provincial government has taken solid steps for provision of best recreational facilities and clean environment to the citizens. Beautiful parks and landscapes were developed in other cities, including Lahore, so that people should enjoy the best living style. The best recreational facilities were also being provided for the children in the parks.
Greenbelts will be set up alongside The Mall, Jail Road and the Ferozepur Road.
The government also extended state-of-the-art recreational facilities by establishing modern infrastructure in Southern Punjab. SS World Amusement Park in Bahawalpur was inaugurated.
Establishment of Water Theme Park at Lal Suhanra, Forest Theme Park at Lal Suhanra, augmentation and modernization of Gulzar-e-Sadiq Park, renovation of historical gates of Bahawalpur City, installation of Historical Derawari Cannon and expansion of horticulture landscape of Bahawalpur were done by the government to upgrade the aesthetic profile of the city.
