RAWALPINDI: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has launched beautification drive of Murree Road and to improve the condition of Metro Pillars from Faizabad to Saddar at a cost of Rs160 million, with work expected to be completed by end of next month.

Talking to Dawn, PHA Director General Ahmed Hassan Ranjha said that there are 226 pillars of metro elevated road from Saddar to Faizabad and work on 22 pillars had been completed, and by end of June, we aim to finish the work from Faizabad to Chandani Chowk.

He stated that Karachi Sand work had been used to refurbish the pillars, ensuring they maintain their new appearance for over a decade. Additionally, warm lights will be installed to create a beautiful view at night.

He said that the condition of the pillars was bad in the past few years and were used to promote advertisement, and we removed all the eye sores so that visitors would feel a difference upon entering Rawalpindi via Murree Road.

He emphasised that green belts are being improved, while entrance to Rawalpindi from Islamabad will be further enhanced and decorated. Mr Ranjha said that PHA was bringing many grand projects for the beautification of Rawalpindi city and maintaining a green environment in the new financial year.

These projects include beautification and uplift of Rawalpindi’s main highway, Murree Road, as well as plans to beautify all the pillars of the city, and to display Quranic verses is also included in the planning.

He said that the plan to depict Durood Sharif in the form of a beautiful monument on the city’s main highway, Rawal Road, has also been included in the plan for the new financial year. Along with this, 75,000 saplings will be planted on Rawalpindi Ring Road to promote a greener environment.

He mentioned the expansion of the Gorakhpur Nursery by over one thousand kanals, along with plans to plant thousands of saplings in this extensive nursery as part of the plan for the new financial year. He said that various projects will be worked on in Murree city regarding recreational facilities and beautification for tourists.

In Rawalpindi city, a range of wonderful projects will focus on beautification, upgrading, providing excellent recreational facilities to the public, and promoting a green environment.

He affirmed that we are taking many steps to make Rawalpindi city beautiful, green and provide the best recreational facilities to the public, in alignment with the vision of the Punjab government. PHA is also striving to provide a healthy, beautiful environment for the public.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2025