The divisional administration has chosen to take extensive efforts to preserve heritage, monuments, and historical sites, as well as beautify three divisional districts in order to convert them into green cities and boost tourism and recreation facilities.
According to the sources, the decision was made in a high-level meeting presided over by Divisional Commissioner Dr Ehtesham Anwar Mahar.
Three deputy commissioners from Bahawalpur attended the high-level meeting, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalnagar, respectively, as well as Bahawalpur Director General Ms Rubina Iqbal Abbasi of Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), and Managing Director Mahar Khalid Ahmed of Cholistan Development Authority (CDA).
Moreover, the commissioner apprised the meeting that in order to beautify the division’s three districts, all available government resources would be used, and recreation facilities would be established through a public-private partnership in areas to be chosen by the respective district administrations.
The commissioner urged officials to add more recreational amenities to improve public parks and play fields, as well as to renovate historic buildings with the installation of state-of-the-art and cutting-edge lighting to make them more beautiful and appealing to the general public.
He stated that public parks should be outfitted with all of the essential equipment to provide optimum amenities to youngsters and athletes in all sports.
Furthermore, Dr Ehtesham Anwar Mahar requested that the Bahawalpur Waste Management Company (BWMC)’s CEO, Naeem Akhtar begin a public awareness campaign.
He also directed that all idle and non-functional traffic signals be made operational in order to decrease traffic congestion and vehicle strain on city highways.
Besides, the deputy commissioners also updated the commissioner on the uplift programmes taken on in their districts.
It is worth noting that the majority of the history, including historical buildings and several decaying forts, was found in the vast desert of Cholistan along the Indian border, bordering Rajasthan.