The National Highway Authority is felling hundreds of semi-mature neem trees along an 8 km stretch of Hub River Road to facilitate a road-widening plan. Tahir Ali, a Karachi-based botanist and researcher, noted that neem trees are ecologically sustainable in Karachi and that relocating trees over 3-4 metres tall is not an arduous task if they are moved to sites with adequate water.
TMC Baldia has already completed five tree plantations costing a total of Rs14,891,304. In Sahiwal, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated four development projects on 16 October worth Rs5.61 billion.
The new projects include a 27-kilometre dual carriageway connecting Sahiwal with Arifwala, a Model Agriculture Mall, a renovated Model Saddar Bazaar, and the Maryam Nawaz Sports Arena. The sports arena features a café, an online booking system, and dedicated areas for football, cricket, and paddle.
Model Saddar Bazaar now features underground wiring for electricity and other utilities. Farmers can access certified seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, and rental machinery at the Model Agriculture Mall.
Authorities plan to establish 10 more model agriculture malls across districts including Jhang, Faisalabad, and Mianwali. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation intends to replace two traffic signals on Shahra-e-Quaideen with U-turns.
One U-turn will be placed before Allah Wali Chowrangi, while another will appear between Allah Wali Chowrangi and Noorani Chowrangi. The signal located near Khudadad Colony will stay in operation.
