Key points:

  • Rawalpindi has opened two new public parks—Allama Iqbal Park and Milad Park—providing additional green space for residents.
  • Both sites include walking and jogging tracks, playgrounds for children, and open fields suitable for cricket, football and other sports.
  • The openings were marked by a modest ceremony attended by municipal officials and local community members.
  • City authorities say the parks are part of a broader effort to increase accessible recreational infrastructure and encourage healthier lifestyles.

The twin inaugurations took place on Saturday afternoon under the auspices of the Rawalpindi Development Authority. Mayor Moin‑ur‑Rehman and senior officials cut ribbons at each location, highlighting the city’s commitment to expanding public amenities in rapidly growing neighbourhoods such as Gulzar E Iqbal and Bansal Chowk. Residents gathered to explore the freshly‑laid pathways, newly‑installed swing sets and multi‑purpose sports courts, many of whom expressed enthusiasm for having safe, family‑friendly venues within walking distance.

Allama Iqbal Park, spread over 4.5 acres near the historic Iqbal Road, features a shaded promenade lined with native trees, a dedicated seniors’ walking lane, and a small amphitheatre slated for cultural events. Milad Park, covering roughly 3.8 acres on the outskirts of the Model Town sector, focuses on active recreation with a basketball half‑court, a mini‑soccer field and a splash‑pad for children during the summer months. Both parks are equipped with proper lighting and security patrols, addressing long‑standing concerns about safety in public spaces after dusk.

Local health experts welcomed the developments, noting that urban areas like Rawalpindi have seen a rise in sedentary habits, especially among youth. By providing easily reachable venues for exercise and play, the municipality hopes to curb rising rates of lifestyle‑related ailments such as obesity and diabetes, which have been identified as public‑health priorities by the Punjab Health Department. The parks also serve as communal hubs where families can interact, fostering social cohesion in a city that has experienced rapid demographic shifts in recent years.

The openings are the latest in a series of green‑space projects announced in the 2025‑2028 municipal master plan, which earmarks an additional 15 acre of parkland across the district. Officials indicated that funding for the new parks came from a combination of municipal budgets and a provincial grant aimed at enhancing urban livability. With Allama Iqbal Park and Milad Park now operational, Rawalpindi joins several other Pakistani cities that are prioritising open‑air recreation as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.