KARACHI: The three-day All Pakistan Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show and Exhibition held in Bagh Ibne Qasim ended on Sunday, when the Jehangir Kothari Parade within its vicinity completed its 100 years. Several thousand citizens visited the iconic park to watch and enjoy a variety of colourful flowers.

The mark the centenary, a ceremony was held in the Kothari Parade building and Karachi Administrator Laeeq Ahmed cut a cake and addressed the participants.

Director general of parks Taha Saleem, director parks Junaidullah, director media management Ali Hassan Sajid and a large number of citizens attended the programme.

Speaking to them, the administrator described Karachi as a unique place in terms of civilisation, culture and history, and said that it had always been the centre of attention and the identity of Pakistan in the world.

“There are historical buildings that will be protected and steps are being taken to restore them to their original condition. This is our heritage and living nations protect their heritage,” he said.

Mr Ahmed said that Bagh Ibne Qasim with an area of 130 acres is one of the largest parks in Pakistan and 300,000 people can visit it at a time.

He said that people belonging to different religions had always taken part in the construction and development of Karachi and that was why Karachi was called “mini Pakistan”.

The administrator said that Kothari Parade was inaugurated by Lady Lloyd and opened to the public on March 21, 1921.

“The KMC will take steps to improve the garden so that visitors from Karachi and outside the city can enjoy it,” he added.

Mr Ahmed said that Marigold Festival and All Pakistan Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show were liked by millions of citizens and due to these shows the colours of Karachi increased tremendously.

He also expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Horticulture Society, Dawat-i-Islami, Faizan Global Foundation, JDC and Saylani Welfare for their contribution towards the exhibition and betterment and development that lead to return of happiness to Karachi.

He said that the Flower, Fruit and Vegetables Show had been re-launched after a gap of 25 years to enable citizens to see the seasonal flowers as well as locally grown fruit and vegetables.

A map of 150,000 flowers was prepared while more than 300,000 flowers were presented at the show.

300 Miyawaki forests planned

The administrator said that a tree plantation campaign was under way in the city and 300 Miyawaki forests would be planted in collaboration with the NED university to improve the city’s environment.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2021