Sindh Government and People & Nature Initiative (PANI), an NGO, initiated a tree plantation drive to inaugurate the development of Nehr-e-Khayam Park here on Sunday. To inaugurate the occasion, a tree plantation drive was conducted with the students of the Karachi Grammar School and nearby residents and communities.

The plantation drive began with the Minister Local Government Syed Nasir Shah followed by Advisor to CM Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Mayor Waseem Akhter who graced the occasion with their presence and assured their full support to PANI for the successful realisation of reclaiming public space with an environmentally clean & friendly park for the people of Karachi.

The provincial government and PANI signed an agreement earlier this month to start the development work of the Nehr-e-Khayam Park, area adjacent to the Karachi Grammar School, Clifton which has been an environmental threat and a menace for residents living in the area for over 25 years.

This is indeed an exemplary partnership between the public and private sector with good intent for the welfare of the people of Karachi & later to be a model for other provinces to replicate.

The project is to clean the sewage water flowing into the canal through the indigenous sustainable 'reed bed' technology and plant hundreds of trees, bushes and create jogging tracks, viewing decks accessible to the public as a recreational facility.

The youth of Karachi, students from KGS helped kick off the initiative by planting trees under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Sindh encouraging other stakeholders who are endorsing this activity with their time and expertise.

Speaking at the occasion, Jameel Yusuf President of PANI said, "I am very grateful to the chief minister & his team for being present here today & conveying their support for not only this initiative but many others which would help in improving the environment, health & educational needs of the people of this province. Renowned architects Akeel Bilgrami & Shahid Abdulla shared their vision for the project which would be game changer in the management of sewerages & recycling of the water to fulfil the needs of the residents in the near future. Mayor Waseem Akhtar, Adviser Murtaza Wahab & Minister LG Shah sahib offered their support to restore Karachi a city of lights to its old grandeur. I am looking forward to the day this recreational facility will be open to the general public."