A walk to raise environmental awareness took place along Saddar’s Bank Road. The aim was to inform people about the environmental challenges heightened by climate change.
This event was organized by the Military Lands and Cantonments Department, part of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.
Notable attendees included Members of the National Assembly, like Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Malik Abrar Ahmed, and Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry. The Station Commander, Brigadier Ahmad Nawaz, and local schoolchildren also joined the cause.
During the event, officials shared exciting news. The walking street in Saddar looks different at night, thanks to the removal of overhead power lines. These lines have now been moved underground, clearing up the space.
To improve accessibility, four new parking areas have been created for shoppers, especially beneficial for women.
The renovation of Bank Road has made the area more appealing.
According to MNA Hanif Abbasi, this transformation will attract more investors to Pakistan.
He also noted that the newly pedestrianized street would enhance business activities.
The project took two years and was completed with the help of local traders. Now, Bank Road is also recognized as a traffic-free zone.
Abbasi explained that the removal of encroachments has given the street a developed look, allowing women to shop in a safe, calmer environment.
Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry highlighted this project as groundbreaking, being the first in the country to place power lines underground.
He praised the cantonment board for their hard work, which benefits both local businesses and the public.
Future developments include plans for a food street and a book market in the area.
Meanwhile, MNA Malik Abrar Ahmed stressed that traders were consulted before the project started. He mentioned that the PML-N government prioritizes infrastructure projects like motorways, metro bus services, and hospitals.
He urged critics to visit the new site with their families to experience the changes.
Cantonment Executive Officer Ali Irfan Rizvi announced that the first phase of Bank Road’s changes is complete. This includes the underground wiring and the shift to a traffic-free area. The next phase will focus on other regions while maintaining the historical character of important sites.
However, not everyone is pleased. Trader organizations in Rawalpindi Cantonment are voicing concerns about traffic issues caused by turning Bank Road into a walking street. They are planning a press conference to announce a protest, where they will discuss plans for a shutter-down strike against the road closure.
The Central Traders Association of Rawalpindi Cantonment held an urgent meeting to address these concerns. Chaired by Sheikh Hafeez, representatives from major trader groups attended, and they unanimously decided to conduct a complete shutter-down strike throughout the cantonment.
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