LAHORE: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) is facing criticism for spending millions on illumination and lighting activities across Lahore, actions deemed by insiders as a violation of the Parks & Horticulture Authority Act, 2012.

Sources within the PHA said they were dismay over the extravagant expenditures, which include lighting roads, intersections, and city entry/exit points. “Such activities are outside the authority’s mandate and constitute a waste of public funds, especially when Pakistan is grappling with an economic crisis,” said a source.

He criticised the PHA’s focus on illumination along key roads, including Canal Road, The Mall, and Jail Road, saying that the authority should prioritize horticulture by developing green belts, maintaining parks, and generating revenue through regulated billboards and advertisements.

Another source alleged that nearly Rs30 billion has been spent on such activities since the PHA’s inception. “This is a potential avenue for corruption that demands investigation. The individuals responsible for approving such measures must be held accountable,” he added.

The source also pointed to recent PHA tenders worth millions for lighting the Lahore Canal from Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspura. He urged the government to cancel these tenders and redirect the funds toward developing new parks and maintaining existing ones.

Critics highlighted safety concerns, noting that excessive illumination distracts motorists, causing accidents, and contributes to environmental issues.

The PHA was established in September 1998 under the Punjab Development of Cities Act 1976 via the Government of the Punjab Housing Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Department’s Notification No. SO(P)-3-4/98 issued on Sept 21, 1998.

Later, the status of the entity was established as an authority through the Parks & Horticulture Authority Act 2012 (Act XLVII of 2012). Under the act, the authority’s mandate is to develop and maintain public parks, green belts, and green areas; regulate the use of public parks, green belts, and green areas; regulate the installation of billboards, sky signs, and outdoor advertisements on private or public property; establish and maintain botanical gardens; organize shows and exhibitions pertaining to horticulture, aviculture, and cultural entertainment; protect trees and other vegetation; create awareness about horticulture and promote gardening; acquire land for the development of any public park, green belt, or green area; procure machinery, equipment, or material as may be required for the proper discharge of its functions; grant a service contract for the maintenance of public parks, green belts, or green areas to a company owned by it or to any other private or public limited company; and constitute committees for performing specific functions of the authority.

In general, its mandate is to transform the city of Lahore into an epitome of beauty through horticulture-related activities and not through illumination, etc.

Sources said that the PHA’s primary responsibility is horticulture and city beautification through greenery, not through unnecessary lighting activities.

When asked, a PHA spokesperson defended the authority, claiming that city beautification includes illumination. However, she failed to address concerns about legal mandates, safety risks, and environmental impacts.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2024