Return of the kings: Two bronze lion statues restored in Karachi Zoo

They were gifted by the Queen Elizabeth II, says mayor

KARACHI: Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said that the Karachi Zoo was gifted two bronze statues of lions by the British queen. "These statues are seemingly little things but they have historical importance and they should stay there for the people. This gift has now been returned to the people of Karachi," he said. The statues were locked away in 2004 and have now been restored to the zoo.

The mayor expressed these views on Monday evening during the installation of the statues in Karachi Zoo. Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Saifur Rehman and Senior Director Masood Alam were also present on the occasion.

Akhtar said that people who had seen these statues in yester-years still cherish their memories. "They will feel pleasure seeing them today," he said, adding that the statues were valuable assets and should be preserved.

He said that efforts were being made to bring more animals to the zoo and added that the International Zoo Association was being contacted in this regard. He said that the government was also helping out. "We are improving all the departments through such little things," he said.

Regarding the on-going anti-encroachment operation in the city, he said that the provincial government, federal government and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) were on the same page. "The President of Pakistan, CM and everyone else agrees that this operation against encroachments should continue.

" The Sindh government has not released Rs200 million to clear the debris, the mayor said, adding that the clearing work would be started after the funds are released.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2019.