PESHAWAR: Rehabilitation of historical gardens of Peshawar has been one of the main demands of the denizens from last few years, but the government seems least bothered to pay attention towards this issue of public interest.

Shahi Bagh is the most famous of the city’s gardens not only for recreational purposes, but also for sports, public meetings etc. However, at present it is in pathetic condition. Most of its centuries old trees were harvested and walls damaged while a portion of it had been given to a private party on rent.

Residents told Dawn that they had tried to draw attention of officials concerned in the previous government towards this issue and encroachments, but no action was taken. They said that unfortunately one portion of the garden had been changed into Family Park.

The residents have appealed to the chief minister and sports minister to issue orders for its restoration.