KARACHI, Nov 26 The Horticulture Society of Pakistan plans to set up a tissue culture lab for ornamental flowers in Karachi. The foundation stone of the lab was laid recently in a ceremony held at the society's DHA office.

Speaking to Dawn, A. K. Khan, an eminent horticulturist and HSP founder member, said that the project had been initiated to produce exotic ornamental flowers, such as anthurium, orchids, croton and birds of paradise, being sold at a very high price in the market.

“This will help the government reduce the import bill and earn foreign exchange,” he said, adding that the lab would gradually be turned into a research centre.

The lab named after A.K. Khan would be set up with public donation. It is initially estimated to cost between Rs6 million and Rs7 million.

“We are in the process of exploring ideas to make the project a success,” said Dr Farhat Agha, the HSP joint secretary, adding “For instance, there is an option of setting up a clinic to help people solve problems in growing plants at home.”

About the benefits of tissues culture, Dr Beena Naqvi, a senior scientific officer at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, who is helping HSP in the project, said that it would drastically cut down the cost of exotic ornamental flowers being imported from different countries at present.

A committee headed by former corps commander of Karachi retired Lt-General Jehanzeb Arbab has been set up. Other members are air commodore Ashfaq Baig, Salman Khan, Adnan Afzal, Ashraf Shanjer and Saleem Siddiqui.—Staff Reporter