PESHAWAR, Jan 12: The University of Peshawar has asked the provincial government to stop 'some political elements' from constructing offices in Azakhel Botanical Garden.

It added that a specific lobby wanted to disturb the brilliant academic and recreation environment of the research facility. It said that BS degree programme was launched in the botanical garden with enrolment of hundreds of students. More than 10 PhD scholars were also doing their research at the garden, it added.

The park has also a flying club, which was set up with the fund provided by Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, who is also chancellor of the university.

“It was reported by the garden staff that on January 7, 2011, Mehboob Ali, local head of a political party, along with Zahid Akbar and Niamat Gul, the secretary of Azakhal Payan union council, came to the botanical garden and started constructing a boundary wall on its premises without any permission from either botanical garden staff, UoP or any relevant government body,” the release said.

It added when the in-charge of the botanical garden tried to stop them, Mr Gul told him that they were doing so on the direction of Nowshera DCO.

The litigation officer of the university contacted DCO Zakaullah Khattak but he said that he was unaware of any such move. Mr Khattak denied having issued any instructions regarding construction at the botanical garden.

“He suspended Niamat Gul for facilitating illegal construction in the garden and using his name to undertake the illegal construction work. He appointed Nowshera ACO as an inquiry officer to probe the matter,” the release said. It alleged that Nowshera DCO and Uop were being pressurised to allow illegal construction at the garden and refrain from conducting inquiry against the secretary of Azakhel Payan union council.

It is worth mentioning here that the 83 acres Azakhel Botanical Garden was handed over to University of Peshawar on 99 years lease for carrying out academic, research and recreation activities.