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First cactus show on 31st

KARACHI: A unique type of exhibition of "cactus" plant, the first-ever in Pakistan, is being held here from March 31.

The exhibition, which is expected to prove most fascinating for Karachiites and specially the plant collectors, will be inaugurated by Adviser to Chief Executive for National Affairs and Information, Javed Jabbar on March 31 at 5 p.m.

Some 2,000 species of cactus, a tropical plant, will be on display for over a week at Hotel Carlton, located at the brink of Arabian sea, which has also sponsored the exhibition.

During over a week-long exhibition, Consul Generals of various countries would be the chief guest turn-by-turn on each day.

On the occasion the establishment of a "Cactus Club" may also be announced. The management of Carlton has assured their support for the club.

Cactus has gained great popularity in Pakistan particularly in hot weather areas of the country and today it has over 10,000 varieties.

The man behind the popularisation of Cactus is 35-year old Wazir Ali, an employee in Pakistan Railway's Mughalpura Workshop, Lahore.

Wazir has developed about 400 varieties of cactus with his own skill and knowledge and today he is considered the only one, who specialises in the development and growth of this plant.

"I learnt a lot from Mahmood Lodhi, who had been collecting cactus species since 40 years, but now has grown old and I am carrying his work forward," Wazir told APP in an interview.

Just a matriculate, Wazir, who hails from Sialkot like his teacher Mahmood Lodhi, said today he has a collection of over 6,000 cactus plants and about 400 of them have been grafted by himself to produce new varieties. APP