The Punjab government has decided to implement significant changes within the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA). The provincial cabinet has approved a bill to establish the Punjab Horticulture Authority, which will now be presented in the Punjab Assembly for final approval.
According to the bill’s text, the new authority will be formally established through a notification in the official gazette. It will have the power to own and sell both movable and immovable properties—though the sale of immovable property will require prior government approval.
The authority will be responsible for regulating parks, green belts, and all forms of outdoor advertising across Punjab. Its head will be the Chief Minister of Punjab or a nominated representative. Key members will include the secretaries of Planning & Development, Finance, Housing, and Environment departments, along with four experts (one of whom must be a woman) and the Managing Directors of relevant agencies.
The authority will be required to meet at least once every three months. It will have the authority to approve budgets, form committees, and oversee improvements in parks and green spaces. Additionally, it will regulate all billboards, signboards, and other outdoor advertisements.
The Director General of the authority will be appointed by the Chief Minister for a three-year term, with the possibility of extension. The DG will act as the Principal Accounting Officer and will have full executive powers.
The bill also proposes the creation of local horticulture authorities in 11 major cities: Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Gujrat. Each local authority will be headed by a chairman nominated by the Chief Minister.
The sub-agencies will include experts, government officials, and the Deputy Commissioners of their respective districts.
