Punjab to establish parks authorities in all districts

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the creation of Parks and Horticulture Authorities (PHAs) in all districts of the province, with a deadline of January 2027. PHAs are already operational in 21 districts, with additional bodies planned for 20 more districts. The government has also approved recruitment for 2,820 technical positions within the PHAs, including managerial and technical staff.

During a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, officials presented progress reports on existing PHAs and outlined plans to expand their operations across Punjab. In the second phase, PHAs will be established in every tehsil of the province. The Chief Minister directed authorities to prepare resource plans for each district and to launch phased plantation drives in tehsils, cities, towns, and villages.

Monthly planting schedules for seasonal flowers were also outlined, alongside the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for PHA officials.

To support the plantation drives, in-house nurseries will be established in each district to provide plants at affordable prices. The design of PHA food courts has been approved, and uniform branding for PHA staff and vehicles is planned. The Chief Minister emphasized that trees and flowers should be planted in every available vacant space and called for standardized planters and flowerpots across the province's cities.

Officials informed the meeting that all Category C parks in Lahore have been restored, and PHAs have been assigned targets for enhancing the urban landscape, beautifying parks, and rehabilitating green belts. Standardized plantation plans will be implemented according to seasonal requirements, with bougainvillea already planted along Khayaban-i-Jinnah, bamboo along Atta Bakhsh Road, and amaltas trees along other roads. Three varieties of marigold are being grown across the province.

The meeting also heard that orders have been issued for PHA staff working at residences to return to their offices. The Chief Minister expressed her vision of every city, town, and village being adorned with trees and plants, filled with the fragrance of flowers. She highlighted the benefits of planting for the environment and human health, emphasizing that planting trees is a virtuous act that helps mitigate the effects of climate change.