Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) in Lahore has chalked out various recreational and cultural programmes in connection with Jashan-e-Baharan-2004, which will be celebrated from February 6 to 20.
Briefing the newsmen, Director General PHA, Shabbir Ahmad expressed the hope that a large number of foreigners as well as overseas Pakistani were expected to visit Lahore on the occasion of Jashan-e-Baharan.
The event would not only provide recreational opportunities to the people but also give a boost to the economic activities especially to airlines and hotel industry. All the four provinces including Azad Jummu & Kashmir and Northern Areas would set up their stalls in the various parks of the city.
He said that all the entry points of the provincial metropolis, including airport, railway station, Ravi Bridge, Thokar Niaz Beg, Motroway Toll plaza, and other points such as Chungi Amar Sidhu and Minar-e-Pakistan would be decorated. Similarly gates would also be set up at The Mall, Jail Road, and Main Boulevard Gulberg.
The food street, Gawalmandi, Tourist Street Old Anarkali, Heritage Street Fort Road, Jail Road, and Main Boulevard Gulberg would be specially illuminated with fancy lights.
The inaugural ceremony would be held on February 7 consisted colourful programmes such as folk dance, traditional brass band, and traditional food and craft stalls. Besides, Shola Group, which was specially coming from UK, would perform, he said.
He also said that PHA had also planned to distribute free gifts to prominent hotels, travel agents, Motorway Toll Plaza, Ravi Bridge, Daewoo Bus Service terminal and airport.
Free musical programmes would also be held at Race Course Park, Minar-e-Pakistan, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park.
Shabbir said Bird festival, which would be held in collaboration with the Lahore Zoo, would continue till February 20 at Race Course Park.
Painting competition among the schools' students would also be held at Race Course Park on February 7, Mega Music show would be held at Tourist Street Old Anarkali in which Humera Arshad, Fareeha Pervez, Rahim Shah, Jawad Ahmad and comedian Nisar Butt would perform.
Similarly, dog show would be held on February 7 & 8 at Race Course Park. Other programmes such as Mural Painting competition and flower festival at Race Course Park would be held on February 12, Basant Rang at Haveli Asif Jah on February 13, Basant Night on February 14 at Race Course, Basant Bahar on February 15 at Alhamra Hall, Horse and Cattle Show at Fortress on February 16, and Basant Thrill Ride competition will be held at Jallo Park on February 18.
To a question, he said that neither the PHA nor the Punjab government was extending any funds for these programmes, rather the multinational companies had promised to sponsor all the events.
Talking about the future plan, he said that PHA had planned to set up chair lift and cable car in a phased programme at Ravi Park and Jahangir tomb, respectively.
According to the estimates, Rs 900 million would be spent on both the projects. The construction of recreational park for families had also been planned on a piece of land measuring 90 acres at Jallo Park, he said.