Imran lays foundation stone for first ever zoo in Peshawar

Reiterates calls for nationwide protest on Feb 6 at Peshawar Zoo inauguration

PESHAWAR: The first zoo in the city was inaugurated on Palosai Road near Rahatabad on Wednesday. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan laid the foundation stone. However, instead of focusing on the possible inhabitants of the zoo, Imran lashed out at the Centre over the Pakistan International Airlines riots in which at least two people died in Karachi.

Volley of criticism

Imran flayed the federal government for using brute force against its people. Referring to the PIA protests, Imran said it was a “dictatorial government disguised as a democracy”.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s rule is worse than General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s tenure,” he said.

The PTI chairperson condemned the death of two workers at the PIA employees protest outside Jinnah International Airport Karachi on Tuesday. “The government should negotiate with workers instead of threatening to sack them,” he said. “It must ensure [employees] are satisfied over the decision to privatise the national carrier.”

Dharna 2.0?

Imran said his party will hold a protest across the country against the government’s privatization and tax policies on February 6. Imran first called for the protests outside his Bani Gala residence Wednesday morning. “I will participate in protests that will be held in either Karachi or Islamabad,” he said.

More local issues

Imran said Peshawar Zoo will be the largest zoo in Pakistan.

“We hope families will visit,” he said. “They are also planning to establish more cinemas in Peshawar,” he added.

The PTI supremo also vowed to introduce reforms in health sector over the next six months and urged doctors to support these endeavours.

“Those doctors who are creating obstacles to improving the health sector are enemies of humanity,” he said.

Timeframe

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said work on the zoo would be completed within the next eight months. The project will be completed in two instead of three phases.

“In March, the government will open food streets in Hayatabad,” he said. “The relevant departments will release funds for this initiative.”

K-P Environment Secretary Nazar Hussain Shah briefed the participants about the zoo.

“Peshawar Zoo is being established on 29 acres of land transferred by Pakistan Forest Institute (PFI) to the wildlife department,” he said. “It is situated on Palosai Road.”  “The land was transferred by the chief minister through the approval of a summary submitted by the forestry, environment and wildlife department on October 2014,” Shah said.

According to the secretary, the project will cost Rs129 million and Rs45 million has been allocated for its first phase.

“The project will provide recreation opportunities for the people of the city,” he said. “The zoo will comprise offices, animal health care centres, a parking area, a food court, an aquarium, a souvenir shop. Animal keepers, supervisors, veterinarians and security staff will be appointed.”

According to the environment secretary, the entire infrastructure at the zoo cannot be developed during the first phase. “Efforts will be made to hire permanent staff to manage affairs at the zoo,” he said. “They will be provided adequate training.”

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the wildlife department’s chief conservator, Safdar said 10 animal enclosures and 59 bird cages and a jogging track would be completed in the first two phases.

“We have decided to start the second phase in July,” he said.

According to the chief conservator, enclosures will be created for ostriches,” he said. “The zoo would provide entertainment, education, public awareness and serve as a research centre in the province.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th,  2016.