Karachi: The Burns Garden in central Karachi, built in 1927 during British rule has been renovated and reopened to the public. It had fallen to neglect due to apathy shown by the civic authorities.
Situated on Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road in Karachi’s business district, Burns Garden also houses the National Museum of Pakistan. After renovation, a new gate has been established to open the facility to visitors coming from II Chundrigar Road (Karachi’s Wall Street).
While inaugurating the public recreational facility along with two girl visitors to the renovated open public space, Karachi’s Administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab noted that the Burns Garden had been built in 1927.
He told participants at the inaugural ceremony that the Burns Garden during the early stage of its existence had attracted Karachi’s residents in large numbers along with their families. He said the central location of the garden had played an important role in making it popular among Karachiites.
He said that later on, the garden had gradually fallen into disrepair as it was closed to the public.
He said a plan was being implemented to expand the garden by increasing green cover with the addition of fruit, shade trees, and vegetable plants.
He informed the audience the renovated Burns Garden had the facilities of a covered space reserved for women visitors, a lawn for children, and walking and jogging tracks.
Barrister Wahab mentioned several parks, playgrounds, and open public spaces in Karachi had been revived and opened to the public after land had been retrieved from unscrupulous elements that in the past had unduly occupied such facilities.
He said these urban green spaces belonged to the people of Karachi, as after their revival and renovation these facilities would remain accessible to the public for their recreation and physical activities to keep them healthy.
He said the provincial government had been making efforts to undertake the project to desalinate seawater for resolving the issue of water shortage in Karachi.
