Latest news with #HasanWaqarCheema
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
New underpass promises signal-free travel
The long-awaited GPO Chowk Underpass on Mall Road, Rawalpindi, is scheduled to open for traffic on June 30 (tomorrow). Completed in a record four months, the Rs4.6 billion project aims to make the 26-kilometer Mall Road signal-free and significantly enhance traffic flow across the city. Spanning 1.93 kilometres, the underpass was deemed essential to alleviate chronic traffic congestion, especially during VIP movements. The infrastructure includes 2,025 piles, 50 girders, and a fully constructed bridge, along with 20-foot-wide service roads and pedestrian footpaths on both sides. Described as a state-of-the-art initiative, the project represents a major urban upgrade. Once operational, it will ensure signal-free travel from Saddar to Kacheri, improving overall traffic efficiency. While the main construction has been completed, finishing touches are underway, including painting and the installation of computerized digital advertising boards. As part of the broader beautification plan, landscaping will feature decorative grass, flowers, and over 20,000 trees, including fruit-bearing and shade-providing varieties, to be planted during the upcoming monsoon plantation campaign. The underpass will also be monitored through CCTV surveillance to ensure public safety. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema described the project as a model of modern urban planning, emphasising that its lighting, landscaping, and commercial impact will set a new standard.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Pindi braces for monsoon flooding
With the onset of the pre-monsoon season, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), Rawalpindi District Council, cantonment boards, and the Evacuee Trust Property Board have issued final red noticessome for the second timeordering the evacuation of 285 multi-storey buildings across the district that are over 100 years old and prone to leaking during rainfall. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has imposed a ban on dumping garbage, building material, and other waste into the 22-km-long Nullah Leh and 15 stormwater drains. Station House Officers (SHOs) of area police stations have been directed to register cases against violators. Following directives from the district administration, residents of low-lying areas along Nullah Leh have started moving valuablesjewelry, refrigerators, sofas, and other household itemsto safer locations. Some families have already begun temporary relocation. To deal with potential flooding, the Civil Defence Department, District Administration, and the 111 Brigade have decided to conduct joint full-dress rehearsals next week. These drills will be carried out in low-lying areas near Rawal Dam, including Nadeem Colony and Javed Colony, and will involve Civil Defence, police, and Rescue 1122. The Meteorological Department's forecast for pre-monsoon rains next week has caused concern among residents living near the stormwater channels. Fifteen temporary Civil Defence warden posts have been activated in these areas. Every year, heavy rains during the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons cause widespread destruction in Rawalpindi, affecting about 70 per cent of the city's population and commercial areas. The municipal corporation and the Evacuee Trust Property Board have ordered the evacuation and repair of all dilapidated historical buildingsdating back to British and Hindu erasin the inner city. According to the chief officer of the municipal corporation, strict notices have been issued to tenants and owners of these buildings due to the risk of collapse during rainfall. The Evacuee Trust Property Board has also served evacuation noticeseffective until June 30to tenants of both commercial and domestic properties in Raja Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Purana Qila, Bagh Sardaran, Dingi Khoi, Shah Chan Chiragh, Banni Mohalla, Jhanda Mohalla, Jamia Masjid Road, Moti Bazaar, and Trunk Bazaar. These properties, once owned by Hindus and Sikhs, are structurally unsound and overdue for repairs. The district council has warned building owners that structures not vacated will be demolished. Three tenants have challenged the notices in court. The court has issued notices to the district council and the chief officer of the municipal corporation to submit responses. District Civil Defence Officer Talib Hussain confirmed preparations are complete for the full-dress rehearsal in Javed Colony and Nadeem Colony. The flood season in Rawalpindi has been officially declared from July 1 to September 15.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Airlines return to Pak skies
Air traffic has returned to normal following recent disruptions caused by Pakistan-India conflict. All international airlines have resumed operations through Pakistan's airspace – except for Indian carriers, which remain restricted. Talking to media at the Lahore Press Club, Director of Public Relations for the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), Saifullah, said that international airlines had temporarily rerouted flights during the recent escalation but have since returned to their regular routes. He confirmed that, as per the government's directive, Pakistan's airspace will remain closed to Indian airlines until June 24. Skardu Airport is being upgraded while a new system is being introduced at Chitral and Gilgit Airport. Under a new system, flight operations will continue regardless of weather conditions, said the PAA director. He said bird strike incidents had gone down by 15 per cent in Karachi, while 36 such incidents were reported in Lahore. The PAA official said the authority will run a drive in collaboration with the local governments to dispose of offal during Eidul Azha. He said that there was a policy to outsource airports. Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has imposed a ban on flying drones, kites, pigeons, and other objects around Islamabad Airport. The restriction is placed following bird strike incidents, which cause damage to aircraft, and will remain in effect for a month. The areas around the Noor Khan Airbase and Qasim Airbase will also come under the restriction. Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has issued a notification under Section 144. Besides, there is also a ban on aerial firing for a month.
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Expensive public clock in shambles
A large clock built at a cost of millions of rupees near the Miyawaki Forest at Rialto Chowk on Murree Road in Rawalpindi stands completely broken. PHOTO: EXPRESS A decorative public clock, installed near the Miyawaki Forest at Rialto Chowk on Murree Road, is in ruins, with all its hands and battery stolen over a month ago. Despite the theft and vandalism, officials from the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) have taken no action. The clock, touted as a "game-changer beautification project" at its inauguration, was part of a costly landscape development aimed at enhancing the city's aesthetics. Built on uneven land designed in a hill-like style to make the clock visible from afar, the project cost hundreds of thousands of rupees. At the time of installation, senior officials, including the director generals of development authorities, announced plans to install similar clocks at other major intersections in Rawalpindi. However, no such initiatives have materialised since. Within just 30 days of installation, the clock was targeted by drug addicts and thieves, who removed all its components. Once a spot where passersby would stop to check the time, the broken structure now draws sarcastic smiles from citizens as they walk past. Interestingly, Commissioner Aamir Khattak and Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema regularly pass by the site but have reportedly issued no instructions to repair or remove the defunct structure. The project, which cost approximately Rs0.5 million, is now considered a financial loss. Sources say the RDA and PHA lack the funds to restore the clock and are searching for local philanthropists to sponsor the repairs. Officials told The Express Tribune that the theft has been documented and they hope to restore the clock soon. However, the culprits behind the theft remain unidentified.
