Arifa Sabuhi, the Agriculture Department additional secretary, expresses her ignorance about any plans to demolish the building while under-secretary (Planning) in the same department, claims that no decision has so far been taken about the fate of the old structure, once the new residence for the garden superintendent is completed. However, Dawn learnt from reliable sources that a demolition certificate has already been acquired from the government and all is set to pull down the building.
Officially known as the superintendent’s residence, the premises with well-maintained lawns is spread over an area of around 16 kanals. It was constructed at the time of the establishment of the garden that started in 1860 and was completed in 1900. The residence, although, not appealing to the eye from the outside, has a beautiful woodwork interior excelling in grandeur most of the modern day woodwork. More importantly, it has been a witness to historic events during the past 100 years.
According to the plan, the Agriculture Department has decided to develop a lawn at the place. The allocation of funds and designing for the construction of a new residence for the garden’s superintendent and office has already been completed and construction is expected to start shortly.
Ironically, the old building is not in the use of the present superintendent as a former superintendent, Muhammad Tariq, refused to vacate the house following his transfer almost a-year-and-a-half ago to the Agriculture Department. Several departmental proceedings initiated against Mr Tariq directed him to vacate the premises and even a fine was imposed but he is still firmly in possession.
It is understood that several proposals were brought forward to use the premise in a better way and in harmony with the garden instead of demolishing the building. One proposal was that the pre-partition structure should be converted into a plant conservatory or a plant museum. It was argued by some officials that being the only garden having over 1,000 varieties of trees and about 700 types of shrubs, Bagh-i-Jinnah should have a plant conservatory of its own providing information about the types of the plants available there and in other parts of the country. It could have also served as an information-disseminating centre about the importance of plants and a clean environment for the younger generation. However, proposals that would have benefited tree lovers were turned down by senior officials without much debate.
Another proposal was to renovate the building and use it as a convention centre. It was argued that it could serve as a place for holding national and international moots.
Some officials suggested that it be given a Hyde Park-like status. This proposal, too, failed to gain approval and the department finally decided to raze the structure to the ground and convert it into a lawn.
Regular visitors to the Bagh-i-Jinnah have, meanwhile, noticed the extraordinary effort put in maintenance of plants and lawns. In less than a year the garden management has improved significantly. A high-powered water sprayer, the only one of its kind in Lahore, has been acquired to wash away dust off tall trees.
One fails to understand why the department is adamant to add 13 kanals to a lawn instead of a setting up a plant conservatory or convention centre, when it already has lawns spread over 141 acres of land.
No date has so far been announced for the start of the demolition work.