ISLAMABAD, Oct 2 There are thousands of trees on the grounds of Islamabad, some predating the capital. But a few serve the monumental function of remembering important people and past happenings.

In keeping with the tradition, visiting heads of state and government used to be invited to grab a shovel and plant a ceremonial sapling on a ground in Shakarparian.

And there are now more than 110 of these trees including Chinese Tallow, Chinar, Chirpine, Magnolia Grandiflora and Araucaria Excelsa in Shakarparian.

One encounters these ceremonial trees within the ground some metres from the parking area in Shakarparian. These trees are marked with plaques with the names of the state guests who planted them that today easily stand two or three stories high.

But under the blanket of insecurity, it seems that the tradition of planting saplings by visiting dignitaries is now threatened.

It has been nearly two years since a state guest - President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan - planted a sapling, Magnolia Grandiflora, at Shakarparian in December 2007.

The premise is closed for public to walk through but strolling under the shades of these 'celebrity trees' is like walking in a jungle of history.

According to a senior bureaucrat, “the trees encapsulated political history, and, arguably, served as a symbolic testament to the country's place among the comity of nations. To traipse among the trees is like revisiting the past,” he added. “Now even if few come to Pakistan, they are either taken towards the monument opposite this park where they lay wreathes or don't come here at all.”

The first ever tree - Chinese

Tallow - was planted here by former premier of China Chu Enlai on February 21, 1964.

So far Chinese dignitaries have planted most of the trees. Former Vice Prime Minister Keng Piao planted a sapling in June 1978, Ex-Prime Minister Zhao Ziayang in June 1981, President Li Xiannian in March 1984, Premier Li Peng in November 1989, Presidents Yang Shagkun in October 1991, Jaing Zemin in December 1996 and Hu Jintao in November 2006. Besides, a few Chinese premier of State Council also planted saplings.

Saudi King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz planted a Chinese Tallow in April 1966. A.N. Kosygin who was Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the then USSR planted a Chinar in 1968.

Among other known state guests were former President of Indonesia General Soeharto who planted a Chirpine in 1980; Turkish President General Kehan Evern planted Cedrus Deodara in 1981, Malaysian President Dr Mahathir Mohammad planted a Chirpine in 1984, President of Socialist Republic of Romania Nicolae Ceausescu planted also a Chirpine in 1984 and the President of Zimbabwe Robert Muggabe planted a Chirpine in 1987.

There are also trees planted by former Iranian President Akbar Hashmi Rafsanjani, President of UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyyan, President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranike Kumaratunga, Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said and Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Al Hariri and others.