BAHAWALPUR: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) will install monuments at the city’s main intersections and crossings.

This was stated by PHA Director-General Rubina Iqbal Abbasi here on Thursday.

Talking to Dawn, she said the decision was in line with the PHA policy to beautify the city, main thoroughfares and the entry and exit points.

She said efforts were afoot to beautify the city though the PHA was running short of funds as the Punjab government had not so far released over Rs40 million for its two main projects.

The DG said the PHA was implementing alternative plans for the generation of its own financial resources to meet the day-to-day expenses and pay salaries to the field staff particularly the gardeners who performed main task to maintain parks and greenbelts along the roads.

She assured to provide benches and install security cameras with its limited resources in the parks where women in large number were the regular visitors whose security was the prime responsibility of the PHA.

Meanwhile presiding over a meeting on Thursday, Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Dr Farhan Farooq reviewed the measures being taken by the PHA to make the city green.

He instructed the PHA to plant new flowers (according to weather conditions) in parks and greenbelts and maintain road dividers.

The DC also directed the municipal officials, the city assistant commissioner and other relevant officials to improve municipal services particularly the sewerage

system which was causing a great deal of inconvenience to the local residents especially of the old walled city areas and mohallas.

According to an official handout, the DC visited different city areas and inspected plantation, anti-encroachment campaign and repair of roads.

EXPO: The Government Sadiq College Women University’s department of management sciences organised a business expo on Thursday to acquaint the youth of the functioning and operation of the various companies and firms with a view to serve and engage the newcomers in their practical life.

According to department of management sciences dean Prof Dr Amna Noor and organiser Dr Rabia Anwar, a large number of youth turned up at the expo. They were briefed by the officials of over 25 participating companies regarding their performance and working with a view to open their doors to fresh graduates and professionals.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Bahawalpur Chief Manager Abdullah Khan inaugurated the expo and also gave away shields to the participants at the conclusion of the expo.

WORKSHOP: The Unesco Pakistan, Centre for Media, Society and Democracy and the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) jointly organised a one-day training workshop for the promotion of media and information literacy on Thursday.

The event was aimed at aligning the national priorities with the digital Pakistan policy and the national education policy and enabling the teachers and researchers to achieve the sustainable development goals – Goal 4 quality education and Goal 16 peace, justice and strong institutions. A number of IUB academics and senior media persons participated and spoke on a number of related topics.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2025