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Autumn Flower Show concludes: Govt to help develop floriculture, says Afridi

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Environment will provide financial and technical assistance for development of horticulture and floriculture in the country to exploit the export potential of this sector, said Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi on Sunday.

He was addressing the prize distribution ceremony at the conclusion of Autumn Flowers Show at F-9 Park.

Afridi lauded Islamabad Horticulture Society (IHC) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) for their efforts to promote cultivation of flowers in the area. He asked them to prepare a project for development of the floriculture in the country. He said the ministry of environment would provide assistance to fine tune the project and manage funds for it.

Afridi said flowers were not only a source of foreign exchange but also provide employment to a large number of people.

The minister awarded shields and cash prizes to winners of the flower display competition. CDA won the first prize, while Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) and Pak-PWD stood second and third respectively.

Allama Iqbal Institute won a prize in another category. In House Gardening competition, Begum Nighat Abbas was declared first, whereas in small organizations category Pak Air Force (PAF) won first prize. Indian Embassy and the garden of Indian Ambassador also won prizes.

According to flower association leader Umar Khan, the florists of the country are facing many problems due to increase in prices of diesel, fertilisers and other farm related items.

He said instead of making only announcements of assistance the government should take practical steps to encourage export of flowers to earn foreign exchange.

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