GUJAR KHAN: The authorities of the Highway Department in Rawalpindi allegedly continue to dump debris from the dismantled road into water ponds in the Daultala-Sukho area, contrary to the Punjab chief minister’s direction to revive and maintain water ponds to preserve rainwater as part of a policy to tackle environmental issues linked to climate change.

According to residents of Mohra Chohdhrian and Mohra Jaswal, a centuries-old water pond in the vicinity of their localities catered to the needs of cattle and was used for washing clothes.

The accumulated rainwater also helped maintain the groundwater table.

However, they complained that the local authorities of the Punjab Highways Department in Gujar Khan, ignoring the environmental hazards, dumped loads of concrete and bitumen removed during the construction of the Sukho-Daultala road.

They pointed out that the chief minister had issued orders for maintaining and rehabilitating water ponds in villages to preserve the environment, but the authorities were ignoring them.

They said that for the last one year, the water pond had remained filled with concrete boulders that were trapping cattle and children in the pond, but the authorities remained passive in removing the safety hazards threatening lives and the environment.

The residents urged the Punjab chief minister to take notice of the situation and direct the district administration to remove the chunks of concrete piled up in the water pond.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026