Under the Punjab government's directives for city beautification, the PHA has begun installing monuments at key intersections and green belts across Faisalabad.
The campaign, aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and civic pride, has instead triggered backlash for the large-scale cutting of trees and removal of green medians.
PHA's Director Engineering Hassaan Ahmad stated that the initiative is part of a province-wide directive to beautify areas like the iconic Clock Tower intersection and its eight bazaars.
This includes installing replicas of a book and pen opposite the Agricultural University on Jail Road, placing flag-bearing soldier statues at Chenab Chowk, and constructing a gazebo-like iron structure at Station Chowk.
Additional installations are planned at Satiana Road's Gateaan Wala and Allied Mor on Sargodha Road.
When questioned about the absence of historical references to the Sandal Bar region in these new monuments, Ahmad assured that future designs would consider local heritage and green elements.
However, critics argue that the PHA has abandoned its core mandate of maintaining green spaces.
Aslam Bhalli, former senior vice president of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce accused the authority of focusing more on outdoor advertisements than on preserving parks and trees. "Instead of enhancing green areas, they are destroying decades-old trees like banyan, neem, and sheesham. From Saleemi Chowk to Jhall Bridge, PHA has replaced greenery with stone," he said.
Bhalli also questioned the logic behind removing vibrant green roundabouts.
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