PTI workers trample saplings, plants at Liaquat Bagh

Rally participants also damage iron fences, decorative lights and lawn irrigation system; PHA suffers huge losses

RAWALPINDI:

Hundreds of saplings and trees at Liaquat Bagh were trampled by participants of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally on Sunday.

The venue presented a picture of a scrap yard on Monday morning where trees, plants and shrubs were seen uprooted and garbage littered almost the entire park.

Sources said that those who had shown up to hear former prime minister Imran Khan's speech at Liaquat Bagh caused irreversible damage to valuable grass, plants, trees and the new saplings in Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) park. Branches of big trees were also broken and the water sprinkler installed in the park for watering plants and grass was also damaged, leaving the entire park in a shambles.

The rally participants also broke the iron fences and decorated lights and water sprinkles installed in the park. The dustbins were also damaged and all the ground and walkways were full of trash and littering.

The PHA staff remained busy on Monday cleaning the park, collecting garbage and picking up the broken trees. In the past, when plants were damaged at Liaquat Bagh during the rally of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the PHA collected a fine of Rs1 million from the party for its restoration.

To know the version of the PHA regarding the damage done to trees and saplings, several attempts were made to contact PHA Director General Zainia Humayun, but she could not be reached.

Meanwhile, PHA sources said that valuable plants, trees and grass were damaged at Liaquat Bagh and the losses were being estimated. The plants, trees, valuable grass and saplings at the park have also been damaged several times in the past owing to public meetings and rallies.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2022.