THIS is with reference to the report, 'Vested interests holding back botanical garden plan for 30 acres' (Dawn Metropolitan, April 6).

The news is shocking for those who come to know that the land was grabbed by the custodians of Karachi and not by the construction mafia. It is also strange that despite the Sindh High Court's orders the previous CDGK, did not vacate the site and sold at least one portion for a concrete-making batching plant and another portion was used for holding a weekly bazaar.

I request civil society to raise its voice to procure the prestigious land. I also take this opportunity to humbly request the Supreme Court Chief Justice to kindly take suo motu action and order the Karachi city administration to obey the Sindh High Court decision dated Nov 10, 2009 to vacate and hand over the land to the Horticulture Society of Pakistan for the establishment of a horticultural complex and botanical garden.

DR ZEHRA NAQVI
Karachi