The academic staff of the University of Peshawar Wednesday asked the provincial government to stop political intervention in Azakhel Botanical Garden (ABG) by a specific lobby. They said that university has started exclusive BS degree programme there in which hundreds of students are enrolled and more than ten Ph.D students are doing their research there as well.
The park also has a flying club that was inaugurated by the Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, who is also Chancellor of the University last year. The University of Peshawar through Higher Education Commission has spent millions of rupees more on the establishment of an Academic Block for the BS Botany and the park itself. However, the academic staff alleged that some political forces are against the uplift of the garden and want to construct several offices in its premises without taking permission either from the government or district administration.
The matter was reported by the Garden staff that on January 7, 2011 that one Mehboob Ali, a local activist of a political party came along with Zahid Akbar nick named spini and Niamat Gul, Secretary Union Council Azakhal Payan, who with the help of masons started construction of a boundary wall within the premises of Aza Khal Botanical Garden without any permission from either Botanical Garden staff, UoP or any relevant government body.
When the in-charge Botanical Garden asked for stopping of construction work, Niamat Gul told him that it was on the direction of DCO Nowshera. When Litigation officer of University of Peshawar contacted DCO Zakaullah Khattak, he told that he had not instructed any one for carrying out construction at Azakhel Botanical Garden.
He also ordered suspension of Niamat Gul, Secretary Union Council Azakhel Payan for facilitating illegal construction in Botanical Garden. It has, however, been noticed that both the DCO and University is being put under political pressure for the illegal construction at ABG and not to carry out an inquiry against the Secretary Union Council, which was categorically rejected by academicians at university. It is worth mentioning here that the 83 Acre of land at Azakhel Botanical Garden was handed over to University of Peshawar for carrying out academic, research and recreation activity on 99 years lease.