LAHORE: The Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) has covered all 41 districts of the province after the government established 20 more district horticulture agencies, creating a single entity to manage the green spaces, including public parks.

Last year, the government had established the PHA as an umbrella body for the 10 existing independent district agencies, and subsequently brought 11 more agencies under its administrative control.

On Thursday last, the government issued a notification, adding another 20 district horticulture agencies, extending the authority’s reach to the entire province, according to PHA Director General Ahmad Usman Javaid.

The new districts brought under the PHA’s cover include Bahawalnagar, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Chakwal, Attock, Layyah, Rajanpur, Kasur, Pakpattan, Chiniot, Toba Tek Singh, Lodhran, Vehari, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Talagang, Kot Addu, Taunsa and Wazirabad.

To facilitate the transition, the PHA has constituted district-level teams to oversee the transfer of assets and human resources from municipal corporations and local government departments to the authority. Each five-member team is headed by the deputy commissioner concerned and includes the district managing director, among other officials.

Mr Javaid says the expansion will enable the PHA to introduce a coordinated approach to horticulture management across Punjab while strengthening institutional capacity at the district level.

The objective, he says, is to improve the maintenance of parks and public spaces, expand green cover and ensure consistent standards of landscaping.

He says the department is also working towards developing city-specific horticulture plans, taking into account local climate, soil conditions, water availability and urban infrastructure.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2026