KARACHI, March 1: The 58th Pakistan Flower Show inauguration was held at Seaview Park on Thursday, which was presided over by Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed, Chief Justice of Sindh High Court. The show was organised in collaboration with the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

More than one hundred species of flowers are on display. According to Salman Khan, one of the organisers said that more than 50 stalls had been set up. Each stall was beautifully decorated with different size of flowers, flowers’ charts, seeds, plants, herbs, bails, etc. The main species of the plants put on display were aster, anterinium, colius, cactus varieties, dhalila, genda, Indian bail, lignum, railway creeper, star, arucaria, assparagus, crotons, candy tauft, eucalyptus, geranium, jhoomar bail, lily, phlox, ruelia, surahlipalm, almonda, begonia, carnation, China rose, euphorbia, gul-e-mohar, cycas, nanthra, poplar, salvia, tricoma, African tulip, bougainvillea, cineraria, clitoria terntea, fan palm, impatience, keura, pansy, puccunia, silvery, water lettuce and many more.

The Horticulture Societies of Defence Housing Society (DHA) Degree Colleges for men and women in their separate stalls had also displayed varieties of flowers, but the main theme they had given to the stalls was of medicinal plants.

Some of the plants having medicinal value for treating indigestion on display were: mint, corriander, ginger, cummin, cardamon, sage, sesame, celery, juniper, eucalyptus, basil, fennel. The plants having medicinal value for treating skin related problems were: aloe vera, neem, and thyme. The plants having medicinal value for improving dental hygiene were: clove, tea tree oil, and black carraway. Plants having medicinal value as anti-septics include cinammon. Plants for improving eyesight are rose and that for reducing cholesterol level was garlic.

The chief guest Justice Sabihuddin Ahmad in his speech quoting a famous saying that “a thing of beauty is a joy for ever” said the flower show was of great importance, especially in the cities like Karachi, so that the citizens could relieve themselves for some time from the commercial complexes.

He said that healthy environment was a fundamental right of every citizen and they must be given the right to live. He also threw light on the co-existence of human life with the plants and flowers and stressed the need that botanical gardens should also be established like other gardens.

He appreciated the role of Pakistan Horticultural Society (PHS) and assured the organisers of his cooperation in the best interests of the citizens and human society.

Earlier, Chairman of the Flower Show Committee, Lieutenant General (retd) Jahanzeb Arbab spoke about the background and services that the society had rendered in the past. He appreciated the services of A.K. Khan, his son Salman Khan, Mahmood Ali, Faiz Abdul Ali, Mrs Amina Rehman, Professor Kausar Bashir, Mrs Safia Khan, saying that some of them were no more in this world but their services would always be remembered.

He also spoke about the future plans and said that there was an organised set up in DHA Phase V, to impart training, hold seminars, and conduct courses for the flower loving people.

Shields were awarded to winners, which included Consul General Saudi Arabia, different horticulture organisations, DHA colleges, schools and individuals. A large number of people attended the ceremony.

The flower show will continue till March 4. Tickets for adults are Rs20 and Rs10 for children.