RAWALPINDI/LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday inaugurated the Rawalpindi Kutchehry Chowk remodelling project, which has officially been renamed ‘Marka-e-Haq Square’.
Following the inaugural ceremony, she visited various sections of the newly-developed signal-free corridor. She also reviewed progress on the Annexe Chowk to GPO Chowk signal-free corridor project. Provincial Minister for Communications and Works Sohaib Ahmed Bharath briefed the CM on the project’s features. He said the corridor would facilitate movement of more than 200,000 vehicles daily. He added that the project also included the construction of the first modern pedestrian bridge at Marka-e-Haq Square.
Maryam Nawaz told the audience the signal-free corridor would transform the urban culture of Rawalpindi. The Rs19 billion mega infrastructure project was finalised in record six months. The scheme includes two flyovers, three underpasses and two steel bridges.
Strict security arrangements were made by the Rawalpindi Police for the inaugural ceremony. Heavy deployment of the Elite Force, Special Branch and district police personnel was ensured to maintain law and order during the event.
The Kutchehry Chowk flyover and underpass have been named Marka-e-Haq Square while the Jinnah Park flyover and underpass have been designated as the Jinnah Flyover and Jinnah Underpass. Another underpass has been named after Iftikhar Janjua.
Participants of the ceremony said the project would improve access to Fatima Jinnah Women University and Civil Secretariat.
According to officials, a four-lane flyover has been constructed between The Mall and Rashid Minhas Road, while the underpass connecting Old Airport Road to Saddar is 26.5 feet wide and designed to handle approximately 197,000 vehicles daily.
Similarly, the Annexe Chowk, also known as Jinnah Park flyover and underpass are expected to accommodate more than 142,000 vehicles each day.
Another underpass has been constructed from Kutchehry Chowk to Mushtaq Baig Shaheed Road. In addition, a single-barrel, two-lane underpass from Iftikhar Janjua Road to Kutchehry Chowk has been developed to manage over 146,000 vehicles daily. The underpass is 18 feet high and 26.25 feet wide.
Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz attended the Marka-e-Haq solidarity parade at Wagah border crossing on Saturday, where participants expressed strong patriotic spirit and solidarity with the armed forces. Upon her arrival, the chief minister was warmly received by officials and organisers. She visited the Martyrs Memorial, laid a wreath and offered prayers for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defence of the country.
Maryam also participated in the traditional flag-lowering ceremony held at the border crossing.
The event, organised under the theme Marka-e-Haq, drew enthusiastic participation from citizens and security personnel, with the venue reverberating with chants of Pakistan Zindabad.
Personnel of the Pakistan Rangers carried out a disciplined parade carrying the national flag amid an atmosphere charged with national pride and fervour.
Separately, CM Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to mothers around the world in her message on International Mother’s Day, describing them as embodiments of affection, compassion and selfless devotion.
She said Mother’s Day particularly honours courageous mothers who send their sons to defend the nation. “I salute every mother of a martyr and every war hero,” she stated.
The chief minister also acknowledged mothers who work tirelessly to support their children and those who sacrifice their own comfort to ensure their families are cared for.
Describing motherhood, she said a mother is like a “cool shade in the scorching heat of life,” offering comfort and emotional strength. She added that Islam elevates the status of mothers by comparing divine compassion with a mother’s love, calling motherhood the purest form of human relationship and the foundation of both family and society.
Maryam said Mother’s Day serves as a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices and unconditional love of mothers. She said she misses her late mother, Kulsoom Nawaz, every day, especially on this occasion, and cherishes her affection and guidance.
She said her achievements were the result of her mother’s prayers and support, adding that those who serve their mothers are rewarded in both this world and the hereafter. The chief minister also prayed for the health, wellbeing and long lives of mothers everywhere.
