LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed that high standard playgrounds and cricket pavilions should be constructed in the provincial metropolis while modern facilities should be made available in the parks for providing healthy recreational facilities to the people. He said along with the big parks, a comprehensive strategy should also be adopted for the improvement of the parks in Mohallas of the Walled City and a plan should be submitted to him in this regard. He issued instructions for evolving a comprehensive plan for the beautification of the entry points of Lahore and development of a modern sports complex at 700 Kanal land along Harbanspura, Ring Road Package 10 and 12. He was presiding over a meeting regarding development of parks and playgrounds and promotion of horticulture and fruit gardens at Chief Ministers Secretariat on Monday. Members Punjab Assembly Syed Zaeem Qadri, Rana Muhammad Iqbal, Commissioner and District Coordination Officer Lahore, Directors General Lahore Development Authority and Parks and Horticulture Authority and other officers concerned were also present. Director General PHA gave a detailed briefing regarding parks, playgrounds and development of greenbelts. The chief minister said provision of playgrounds and high quality recreational facilities to the people was of vital importance for the creation of healthy society and solid measures were being taken for this purpose. He said besides improvement of 10 cricket grounds in the provincial metropolis, maximum playgrounds should be developed where beautiful pavilions as well as all necessary facilities should be made available. He said apart from cricket, attention should also be paid to football, hockey and other sports grounds. He said for the purpose of upkeep and maintenance of high standard, cricket grounds should be given on lease to the associations in a transparent manner. He said a complete and comprehensive plan should be submitted to him with the consultation of Punjab Sports Board and consultants for the construction of a state-of-the-art sports complex at the land adjacent to the Ring Road Package 10 and 12. Shahbaz Sharif said the portion of Lahore Ring Road near Airport is the gateway to Lahore therefore, it should be made more attractive and beautiful. He said landscaping, waterfalls and rose gardens should be developed over 200 acre land near the Airport and besides developing special spots for the people, parking facilities should also be arranged. He said this green belt should also be state-of-the-art and modern recreational facilities should be provided. He said that five roads of Shahdara should also be included in the programme of horticulture and the drain passing through this area should be covered. The CM said the condition of parks in Mohallas was extremely poor and there was no system for their upkeep. He said a line of action should be devised with the consultation of MD Solid Waste Management for the development and improvement of major parks as well as small parks in Mohallas so that a healthy atmosphere and modern recreational facilities could also be made available to the residents of the Walled City. He said for the purpose of beautification of the entry points of the City, landscapes, fountains and beautiful monuments should be constructed. He further directed that immediate measures should be taken for the improvement of Kamrans Baradari and Noor Jehans Tomb as they have historical importance. He said he had issued instructions to PHA after detailed inspection of Lahore Ring Road to further accelerate the horticulture work and a report should be presented to him within 90 days after identifying illegal constructions around Lahore Ring Road so that a policy could be evolved in this regard. The CM said there are 10 cricket grounds in the City which have been given on lease while there are 500 parks of different categories. The meeting was informed that eight more spots have been identified for cricket grounds while a policy is being evolved for the improvement of the parks.