KARACHI: Colourful umbrellas hung from strings.

Water from fountains splashed on the concrete floor to give off a soothing effect. Marigolds of varied sizes and colours ... orange, yellow and off-white ... petunias ... violet, burgundy, pink and white ... gleaming in the winter sun against the backdrop of the splendid Frere Hall added to the serene beauty of Bagh-i-Jinnah on the opening of the three-day 5th Annual Flower Show2025.

The show was organised by the parks & horticulture department of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Friday.

The chief guest on the occasion, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, appreciated the hard work of the parks department to arrange over 100,000 flowers from KMC`s own nurseries for the exhibition. `Where there is will, there is a way,` he said.

`Karachi is a glorious city. It has history, it has culture, it has beauty, it has opportunity, it has class. But sadly, forgetting its value, it was turned into the city of terror, of guns and mafias. But, as Bilawal BhuttoZardari, says, `we are to develop every corner of Karachi`, we are also going to bring back its old charm, said the mayor.

`Karachi is a welcoming city, open to all ethnicities.

It is a bouquet of different flowers and pleasant fragrances. Just like this city owns its people, the people, too, must own Karachi and give it back its original glory. I invite you to visit our parks and playgrounds, I invite you to this flower show, take pictures, make videos, share them on social media,` he urged.

`It is time to appreciate flowers and smile like flowers. Come one, come all,` he invited the people to appreciate the beauty of nature brought on by spring and showcased by the hardworking gardeners of KMC`s parks & horticulture department.

While replying to a question about the Malir Expressway, Barrister Wahab said that it took 25 yearsfor the Lyari Expressway to complete under the federal government. `And here we are completing the Malir Expressway during our term. Come and experience Shahrah-i-Bhutto. It has a six-lane track, three lanes on either side. We were only able to do this because we have the will and the vision to do it,` he said.

Answering another question about constant criticism from adversaries, he said that with the kind of negative politics the PPP government has to face, who needs enemies? The Flower Show concludes on Sunday.