ISLAMABAD: The International Friendship Garden situated at Shakarparian in Islamabad is a source to track the history of Pakistan’s bilateral relations with other countries as it has 130 trees of friendship, planted by different heads of the states on their visit to Pakistan.
The garden was established by CDA soon after the establishment of the Federal Capital in Islamabad. It is a tradition that whenever a foreign president or prime minister visits Pakistan he/she plants a tree at the Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad which is a symbol of friendship between the countries.
The tradition of tree plantation by visiting guests at the garden began on February 21, 1964, when Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China, sowed a seed of the Chinese Tallow Tree; whereas, the last sapling was planted by Senegal’s president on September 7, 2016.
The garden has the highest number of trees planted by the Chinese heads of the state time to time, which includes the trees planted by its Premiers Zhouenlai, Zhao Ziayang, Le Peng, Zourongji, Wen Jiabao and Le Keqiang, Presidents of China Li Xiannian, Yang Shagkun, Jaing Zemin and Hu Jentao, Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, Vice Prime Minister of China Keng Plao, Chairman Standing Committee of National People’s Congress Ven Li and Chairman Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin.
The King of Saudi Arabia Shah Fasil bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud had planted a third sapling in this garden. There are the representations of almost all important countries of the world, which include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Malaysia, Bahrain, Russia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Thailand, Bosnia, Palestine, Korea, Azerbaijan, Nepal, Philippines, Canada, Senegal, Morocco, Oman, Lebanon, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Mauritius, France, Japan, Qatar, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Iran, Brunei Darussalam and Kyrghizstan.
The International Friendship Garden is a bucket of several trees including the Chinese Tallow tree, Chinar, Chir pine, Olive, Diar, Araucaria Cookii, Araucaria excels and Magnolia Grandiflora.
The civic body is doing its utmost efforts to make it is one of the most well prepared gardens of the country. Each tree has the name plate of its planter which also includes the date of plantation.
TheCDA is also planning to further develop this place by establishing a gallery carrying the brief introduction and photographs of the dignitaries who planted the trees; whereas the lights will be installed in the area where dignitaries and leaders from other countries have planted plants. The map of Islamabad will be put to display which will be named Islamabad Viewpoint.
Although, there are several gardens in the world which are named after friendship, but the idea behind this garden is unique as it is owning international history.
While talking to Daily Times, spokesperson of CDA Malik Saleem Akhtar said, “The Authority is fully aware of its duties and the environment wing is very keen to look after this garden.”