KARACHI: The city mayor claims that Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim was left to crumble deliberately and that it was in a beautiful state of lush green when handed over to the Sindh government.
Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that the Pakistan Peoples Party gave the contract of the park’s maintenance to a party worker who spent close to no amount of the funds on maintenance. “It was pre-planned so that someone could intervene to improve its condition.” He further added.
Waseem Akhtar filed a case regarding the handover of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim to the Bahria Town administrator in the Sindh High Court.
Akhtar claims that the matters of the park fall under the jurisdiction of the local government because of which the step taken by the Sindh government was against the law.
He further said that a petition has been filed and the matter has become sub judice now and a request has been made against the notification issued by the local government secretary.
The mayor added that the move is under criticism since the park is the property of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and belongs to the public and neither KMC nor the public was taken aboard.
Waseem claims that he has no objection to the beautification of the city but if Bahria Town administration wants to improve the conditions of the city they should make parks elsewhere like in Sohrab Goth which is one of the entry points to the city. It is also in a ragged condition with clogged roads.
The mayor had announced his decision to take the issue to the court on Friday.
The mayor fears that the park would become a commercial spot if handed over to the Bahria Town administration.
Bahria Town Chairperson Malik Riaz responded to criticism saying that he will not take any action unless and until all stakeholders are on board and he will make sure Bagh Ibne-e-Qasim does not become a commercial spot.
