RAWALPINDI: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has started work on making a replica of the Dubai Miracle Garden in the Nawaz Sharif Park, which will be completed by the end of March.

Talking to Dawn, PHA Director General retired Captain Anwarul Haq said that the authority has Rs7 million for the project, which will include installing lights along the flower beds and the walking tracks.

“The people will see the difference on March 23, when the PHA will start its spring festival in the park,” he said.

Mr Haq said the authority will also be completing two new parks in the coming days.

“Shahbaz Sharif Park will be completed by March 31 and the Dhoke Munshi Park will be completed by mid-April,” he said.

The Shahbaz Sharif Park is spread over 110 kanals and will be completed at the cost of Rs134 million. It will include a cricket ground with a pavilion, a football ground with artificial grass, a basketball ground and a gym, he added. It will also have a spacious parking lot, a jogging track, a food court and a modern security system.

He said tall trees have not been planted in the park as it is near the Benazir Bhutto International Airport runway.

The land was previously under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority and was being used as a dumping site. It had ditches that were 10 or 15 feet deep Mr Haq said.

About the Dhoke Munshi Park, he said water supply is the main issue in the park and that this park will also be completed in a week or two.

“We dug three tube wells but there is no water in the area. We are planning to bring water from nearby areas and therefore, this park will be inaugurated by mid-April,” he said.

This park is spread over more than 120 kanals.

Mr Haq said the PHA will soon be starting a beautification drive in the city and will improve the condition of the green belts on Murree Road, Raja Bazaar and adjoining areas.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2018