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The Sindh High Court on Monday suspended a provincial government notification to hand over Karachi’s iconic park, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, to real estate giant Bahria Town for 10 years.
A special bench of the SHC was hearing a petition filed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar.
Akhtar's petition followed a notification issued by the Sindh local government ministry which stated that the decision to hand over the park "for adoption" had been taken after its approval by a competent authority, but made it clear that salary of its staff would be paid by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
For this ‘handover’, the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government had first taken over the control of the park from the city’s municipal administration, which is dominated mainly by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Provincial authorities claimed the move would save funds and encourage private organisations to carry out social work and public service.
'Park was handed over to Bahria Town for rehabilitation'
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah defended the provincial government saying, “Bin Qasim Park was handed over to Bahria Town for rehabilitation and improvement.”
He said the decision was made after the Sindh Assembly passed resolution to handover to other local bodies’ institutions in Karachi and thus many parks were handed over to the Karachi Municipal Corporation [KMC].
The chief minister asked the opposition parties to avoid doing "negative politics of agitation and stop misguiding and misleading the people in larger interests of the welfare of the masses."
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Comments (42) Closed
Apr 03, 2017 03:43pm
when will this corruption end in Pakistan?
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Apr 03, 2017 03:44pm
Sind government has no shame
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Apr 03, 2017 03:46pm
Linked to Bahria Icon Tower, this has conflict of interest written all over it!! Portion of the park will be used for catering services/function services for Icon Tower etc. PPP and it's broad daylight corruption policy!!
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Apr 03, 2017 03:51pm
Just imagine PPP will be elected again for next 5 years in Sindh. God save Sindh and Pakistan.
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Apr 03, 2017 03:53pm
Why don't malik Riaz simply fix the park and let KMC run it
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Apr 03, 2017 03:55pm
I agree with the decisions of SHC. The move to hand over the ICON park to a private builder who is in business of grabbing lands on peanuts rates and making high rise cost of multiple building and costly house/ Bungalows which in fact is out of reach of a higher or Middle class people what to talk about poor people . the Sindh Government's intention were by handing over the park to tycon would have pocketed brie financials gain under the table which is a landmark of PPPP, at the same time the Bahria Town would naturally make a booty after initial investment by raising the selling cost in turns of Park facilities such intention should be discourage at any level. The Local bodies should strictly be warn to work honestly if agreed by all sections.
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Apr 03, 2017 03:59pm
PPP and PML-N are selling the country to their cronies and buying favors in exchange. If the mayor of a city had no knowledge of such a decision, than it reeks of political meddling and swindling.
Shameful how the public is being fooled in Pakistan, day in day out by these two parties.
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Apr 03, 2017 04:04pm
Behind some planning SHC decision appreciate
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Apr 03, 2017 04:17pm
Another to dent to PPP Sindh...but unfortunately they will come again to rule for next 5 years!
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Apr 03, 2017 04:31pm
Yet another great decision by the Sindh High Court.
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Apr 03, 2017 04:46pm
These corrupts are laid open now before people. Their covers already blown, so called political who suppose to serve people are looting and plundering this country for so long now.
Enough get rid of them, stand up to them!
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Apr 03, 2017 04:55pm
Good move.
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Apr 03, 2017 05:01pm
@Shakil I am sorry it is just the beginning of another cycle of looting as looters are being crowned with Gold. It can only happen in pakistan and PPP shall be elected again as the people of interior Sindh are being deliberately kept illiterate by these waderas and with the help of police this will go on for ever. Sindh high court can do its bit but we need to rise and change the system so these criminal mafias in the shape of political parties are disbanded for ever.
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Apr 03, 2017 05:01pm
In developed countries, there is an established concept of Developer's Contribution. Under this, private developers who stand to make a lot of money through their development projects are required by law to make a Developer's Contribution to the society. This is often done in the shape of building and donating community facilities like parks, sports facilities, community halls, etc. These contributions not only benefit the society at large but also enhance the ambience and reputation of the area where their project is located - hence better clientele. Could we not do the same?
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Apr 03, 2017 05:19pm
I am not too sure about the SHC decision. They could have let B Town manage it and the Civil Society/Mayor should have kept watch for any wrong doings or un lawful activity.
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Apr 03, 2017 05:36pm
Bad choice, they should let him to maintain atleast he can keep it clean and people can visit. Because this is proven that the govt is not able to do anything. And if any one is worried that he will occupy that place then keep going because he will do it by force if he wants to.
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Apr 03, 2017 05:56pm
Sindh government is the most corrupt of all the provincial governments. Easily.
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Apr 03, 2017 06:09pm
Well done mqm pakistan the best party in pakistan !
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Apr 03, 2017 06:45pm
@rathore Nandi Pur, Orange Line, Motorways, Solar Park are mega projects for mega corruption and no one else may compete the Punjab government in corruption.
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Apr 03, 2017 06:47pm
Sindh Govt, please grow some grass in the park
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Apr 03, 2017 07:10pm
People needs rehabilitation and so does the park..there's something about trauma to the mind, body and soul. One day your normal and the next your different; you don't know what changed but you know nothing's the same and all of a sudden you are learning to adapt yourself to the same environment with a whole new outlook. I guess you realise your not invisible and every aching bone bleeds it's sorrow through anguish in your movements. One day it'll get easier, because I'm telling myself it will and that's the difference between becoming a pioneer through this disaster when all thought I'd be a slave to pity.
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Apr 03, 2017 07:13pm
@KHALID YOUSAFZAI (UK) ...When u and I rise up or when we will not let anyone walk through our mind with their dirty feet.
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Apr 03, 2017 07:23pm
@Muhammad Salahuddin Khan ..Sir..In Pakistan ..Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor..Any question
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Apr 03, 2017 07:25pm
@Muhammad Mashhood Qasmi , All the projects in Punjab you had mentioned are giving benefits to the people. AND have not seen any proof or numbers for corruption involved. I am sure some small kick back at lower lever must be part of it but overall projects are great benefit to the people. The KpK Government is finally setting up a mass transit for Peshawar after criticising the Punjab government projects for years.
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Apr 03, 2017 07:30pm
@ARSHAD,Canada "AND have not seen any proof or numbers for corruption involved." Has anything ever been proven against any ruler from Punjab? By that standard Punjab is the most transparent place in the universe.
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Apr 03, 2017 07:33pm
@Asfand Iqbal "They could have let B Town manage it and the Civil Society/Mayor should have kept watch for any wrong doings or un lawful activity." So why not the whole province, and the CM, governor and civil society to watch? What next then?
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Apr 03, 2017 07:50pm
Good. First the Sindh government must give full accounting of where billions allocated for Benezir Park disappeared? There was massive corruption and the Supreme Court declared failure of Sindh government's governance. The people demand independent audit of every department. No political party or politician can refuse 'accountability' in democracy, as no one can be above the law.
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Apr 03, 2017 08:08pm
We are committed corrupt criminal.
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Apr 03, 2017 08:42pm
Our biggest park and lively hood is our country ..how I wish if justice system can deliver to protect our pride and joy..
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Apr 03, 2017 08:54pm
The larger interest that Murad Ali Shah is talking about is the interest of PPP leaders not of Karachites. We need an independent Karachi .
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Apr 03, 2017 09:00pm
@Khan-HAqiqI ; What is in for him??? Park adjacent to B Tower would be best location to setup multi storey car park; Also paid entertainment centers, Food outlest and other recreational facilities would then be sold to vendors along with key monet; All would have made millions;
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Apr 03, 2017 09:02pm
Any 'municipal' property should only be handed over to what ever organisation with due process of a 'lease contract' with period and rental clearly defined!
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Apr 03, 2017 09:12pm
PPP never ending hatricks in hall of shame
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Apr 04, 2017 12:00am
Goood job .. good check to make sure the property being vastly used in the best interest of public, amazingly maintained and well kept by mayor/govt and cherished by public is not handed over to a person who has a looonnnggggg history of GRABBING land and land marks and turning them into thar desert! KEEP IT UP Mayor and Sindh Govt .
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Apr 04, 2017 12:01am
@Khan-HAqiqI we all can see how amazingly KMC and Sindh Govt both have been running the LAVISH GREEN park ..
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Apr 04, 2017 10:35am
Bit of a challenge to enforce. After all, they couldn't enforce their ruling to open up the road running parallel to Bilawal house for a number of years.
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Apr 04, 2017 10:36am
@Khan-HAqiqI... Let KMC run it into the ground yet again you mean...
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Apr 04, 2017 11:45am
The courts must also punish such corrupts with substantial monetary fine and by debarring, disqualifying and declaring them ineligible from holding any public office in any capacity whatsoever paid, unpaid or in honorary capacity. This may help save the state of Pakistan.
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Apr 04, 2017 02:28pm
Companies and organizations take responsibilities of maintaining public parks. In Lahore, MacDonalds at Y Block DHA is successfully maintaining a park adjacent to its premises. Similarly Qarshi maintains the park and greenbelt opposite its office in Gulberg Lahore. This is how big organizations contribute their bit towards building better communities where they operate. Same could apply to Ibn e Qasim Park. Unfortunately, another public welfare initiative falls prey to the politics of Karachi.
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Apr 04, 2017 02:58pm
Politicians of this country have just one motto. ‘We know we can’t fix it but we won’t let fix it, because you don’t have the mandate!’ I cannot understand why they feel so insecure. If Bahria Town is doing something positive for the public, it should be allowed to do it and the government should facilitate such initiatives rather than trying to frustrate the people who want to do something for the people.
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Apr 04, 2017 04:04pm
Due to shortage of funds it’s difficult for governments to maintain non-profit public projects. This is where large organizations come to their rescue. But politics and politicians in Pakistan do not seem to understand these new trends. Bahria Town should be allowed to renovate and rejuvenate not only Ibne Qasim Park but other parks in the city as well for the benefit of the people. By cleaning up the streets of Karachi, recently, Bahria Town has proved its commitment and integrity and it’s unwise to deny them the opportunity to repeat their good work for Ibn e Qasim Park.
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Apr 04, 2017 04:11pm
Due to shortage of funds it’s difficult for governments to maintain non-profit public projects. This is where large organizations come to their rescue. But politics and politicians in Pakistan do not seem to understand these new trends. Bahria Town should be allowed to renovate and rejuvenate not only Ibne Qasim Park but other parks in the city as well for the benefit of the people. By cleaning up the streets of Karachi, recently, Bahria Town has proved its commitment and integrity and it’s unwise to deny them the opportunity to repeat their good work for Ibn e Qasim Park.
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