The Capital Development Authority on Friday launched a drive to beautify bridges in the city that would be dedicated to national heroes. The initiative was launched at China Chowk Underpass that has been beautified by mural paintings by student volunteers from the Rawalpindi National College of Arts. The project has been sponsored by ActionAid, a civil society organisation, in collaboration with the CDA.
The first bridge to be decorated has been dedicated to women who contribute to national empowerment.
CDA Administration Member Munir Ahmed Chaudhry said the initiative aimed to beautify structures and recognise the services of heroes including women, saints, leaders of the Pakistan Movement, youth, and sportsmen. ActionAid had sponsored the project entirely, he added.
Environment Member Kazim Niaz lauded the initiative and said the city can be beautified through coordinated efforts of the CDA and residents. He said the environment directorate will also add flowers beds under the paintings. The students had put in a lot of effort to paint the wall and it was the responsibility of citizens to protect it from vandalism, he added.
ActionAid Policy Manager Uzma Tahir said through a pictographic representation of the women’s struggle for rights we would like to highlight that all women in Pakistan carry invisible burdens. She said the purpose of the event was to highlight and create awareness about women’s rights, early marriage and women’s education through wide media coverage. The painting cost around Rs 460,000 and took 10 days to finish, Uzma said. The organisation was willing to beautify all bridges in Islamabad with paintings depicting themes like education, food insecurity and youth, she added.
NCA Director Nadeem Omer said the event was organised under NCA’s outreach program where students were encouraged to play a role for the betterment of society. “The NCA believes that artists should step out of their studios and galleries to work and exhibit in public spaces and the civil society should work in collaboration with them to make the city a beautiful place,” he said.
