DERA GHAZI KHAN  -  Despite crippling staff shortages and chronic underfunding, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) DG Khan is pushing forward with city beautification efforts under the slogan “Live Clean, Go Green,” according to DG/ADCG Mst Qudsia Naz. In an interview with The Nation, Qudsia vowed to turn DG Khan into “Dera Phullan Da Sehra,” highlighting her authority’s persistence despite severe constraints. Established in 2017 under the PHA Act 2012, PHA DG Khan remains the least funded PHA in Punjab.

Though a Rs 44.77 million operational budget was allocated in 2018, it was never released. Since then, the same budget has been repeated annually—despite rising costs over seven years. Out of 262 approved posts, 179 remain vacant, and no new recruitments have occurred since inception. Qudsia is the first full-time DG, with predecessors holding the role as an additional charge. An attempt to hire Class-IV employees in 2024 was halted due to general election restrictions. The authority now struggles to meet its payroll, with a Rs 171.9 million salary bill. A 2019 plea for a Rs 60 million bailout by then DC Muhammad Iqbal Mazhar failed to yield long-term relief.

Although a 1% Green Punjab charge was introduced on development schemes, departments like Irrigation have not complied, stalling revenue flow. Despite constraints, PHA maintains 16 parks in DG Khan, including Kashmir Park and Jinnah Park. It also maintains 4 parks in Taunsa Sharif and Vehova, although they were meant to be transferred to local bodies.the PHA maintains 10,966 acres of green belts and green zones, besides Pakistani Chowk (Jahaz Chowk), taken over from the District Council, with PHA covering its Rs 3.6 million power bill.

With just three water bowsers, PHA runs three irrigation shifts daily. Still, Qudsia cited recent wins. The PHA held two Jashan-e-Baharan festivals and Rs 20 million were earned from ad rights auctions. New revenue from shop lease surveys was also generated. A new revenue plan (Rs 34 million target) includes leasing LED board spaces, marriage lawns, flower shops, and more in parks like Kashmir Park and Allama Iqbal Park.

Addressing criticism over Kashmir Park’s commercialization, Qudsia clarified only four of its nine acres are leased for financial sustainability.

In terms of funding, PHA  DG Khan lags far behind its counterparts in cities like Sargodha, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, and Sialkot. The total approved payroll amounts to Rs 171.947 million, yet the authority struggles to even meet salary obligations. In 2019, then Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Mazhar attempted to secure a Rs 60.37 million bailout package to keep the authority afloat.

While the Punjab government has imposed a 1 percent Green Punjab charge on all development schemes, many departments particularly the Irrigation Department have failed to comply, limiting revenue growth for the authority, Qudsia stated.

“I’m committed to protecting every single tree,” she said. “This city is ours to beautify—and it demands collective responsibility.”