Pakistan's First Tree Transplantation Orchard Opens in Faisalabad

Summary

Pakistan’s first tree transplantation orchard opened at Bagh-e-Jinnah Faisalabad, with 166 trees aged 30 to 60 years relocated from Metro Bus routes.
Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh visited the orchard; two more orchards are being set up at Kaleem Shaheed Park and Iqbal Park.
DC Muhammad Nauman Siddique ordered restoration of street lights across the city; a donor gave medical equipment to Allied Hospital II.

FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s first tree transplantation orchard has been opened to citizens at Bagh-e-Jinnah Faisalabad under the eco-friendly vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. As many as 166 trees, aged 30 to 60 years, falling in the way of Metro Bus project routes have been transplanted there so far.

Commissioner Faisalabad Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh visited the transplantation orchard and inspected the replanted trees. In-charge Women Cricket Pakistan Cricket Board Rafia Haider, Additional Commissioners Qaiser Abbas Rind, Tanveer Murtaza and Afzal Tarar, Director Development Asif Iqbal Chauhan, MD Horticulture Agency Dilawar Khan, Assistant Commissioner General Dr Zeeshan Irshad and other officers were present, besides members of the Save the Plant organisation and civil society.

The Commissioner congratulated the people of Faisalabad on the country’s first tree transplantation orchard. He said similar orchards are being established at Kaleem Shaheed Park and Iqbal Park (Dhobi Ghat) ground, where 59 and 127 trees have been transplanted respectively.

He said that out of 795 trees affected by the Metro Bus routes, 352 have been replanted across the three orchards so far, while transplantation of the remaining trees is under way at a fast pace.

Praising the efforts of the Horticulture Agency and the Save the Tree organisation, the Commissioner invited citizens to visit the orchard with their families. He said providing a clean environment to coming generations is everyone’s shared duty, and the people of Faisalabad have proved they are second to none in keeping their environment fresh and protecting trees.

He said protecting trees means protecting generations and culture, and this mission will continue on a permanent basis.

DC Orders Street Lights Restoration

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nauman Siddique chaired a meeting on making street lights functional across the city and ensuring effective lighting arrangements.

The meeting reviewed comprehensive steps for restoring street lights on major roads, streets and bazaars. Additional Deputy Commissioner Municipal Services Anwar Ali Kanju, ADC Enforcement Murad Hussain Nekokara, Assistant Commissioner City Rangzeb Goraya, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Usman Ghani and other officers attended.

The DC directed effective steps to identify and immediately switch on non-functional lights on major roads, streets and bazaars. He stressed restoring lights in all tehsils, regular monitoring and timely redressal of citizens’ complaints.

He said lit roads help citizens travel safely and reflect a beautiful, clean city with a better civic environment. All departments must perform their duties effectively to provide better municipal facilities, he added.

Donor Gives Medical Equipment to Hospital

Through the efforts of the Anti-Narcotics Association Allied Hospital II, a donor has donated medical equipment worth lakhs of rupees to the hospital.

Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Dogar, Muhammad Nawaz Khalid RB, General Secretary Amina Akram, Clinical Psychologist Ghulam Mustafa Niazi, Deputy Medical Superintendent Ali Raza, Vice President Muhammad Pervaiz, Dr Subhan, Sada Rehman Nakash and others were present.

Donor Nadeem Ahmed got 20 patient coaches and stretchers repaired and handed them over to the hospital administration.

Farewell Ceremony for FDA Officer

The officers and staff of the Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) held a farewell ceremony in honour of Assistant Director Ghulam Rasool, who retired after completing 40 years of government service. DG FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhry was the chief guest.

Chief Engineer Mehr Ayub, Director IT Yasir Ijaz Chattha, Deputy Director Finance Afzal Ansari, In-charge One Window Counter Abdullah Noor, Property Transfer Officer Abid Ashraf Butt, other officers, Revolutionary Workers Union General Secretary Mian Muneeb, Chairman Sheikh Imran, union office-bearers and staff attended.

Addressing the ceremony, the DG paid tribute to Ghulam Rasool’s four decades of service. He said government service is not just a profession but an important means of public service and institutional development. He directed that all dues including pension be paid without delay so the retiree faces no financial difficulty.

Speakers praised Ghulam Rasool’s long service, professional experience and pleasant relations with colleagues. In his remarks, Ghulam Rasool thanked the DG, officers, union leaders and staff, calling his 40 years at FDA an important and memorable part of his life.