It`s every Karachiitte`s Sunday dream come true! Spread spaciously across a sprawling 130 acres, over looking the crashing waves of the Arabian Sea, sits the magnificent park christened, Baghe Ibne Qasim.

Structured on two levels and boasting of immaculately manicured green lawns, concrete umbrellas for picnickers, cosy wooden benches it`s ideal for a family evening picnic. That`s the reason why you will find this enormous park packed to the hilt on the weekends.

Established by City District Government in Karachi, its novelty also lies in the fact that it is adjacent to the unique Jahangir Kothari Parade. The symbolic Jahangir Kothari parade, along the Clifton coastline, consists of a main promenade that serves as a gathering platform, through which a number of wide steps descend to a walkway, which stretches some half a kilometre towards a covered pavilion. This pavilion at the time of its construction was built right above the crashing waves of the Clifton beach. These interconnected structures allow a visitor to view the sea from different heights and angles.

The most striking part of the whole monument is the bandstand or cupola of pink Jodhpur stone. Built at the western part of the grand monument, it is defined by four tall pillars at each end, topped by carved motifs, while carved balustrade and podium walls add a unique charm to the structure.

Work to build this monument began in 1919 and was completed a year later. It was financed by a Parsi philanthropist and astute businessman, Jehangir Kothari, on a personal wish of Lady Lloyd, wife of the then Governor of Bombay, Lord George Lloyd. Lady Lloyd wished to walk up to the sea, without getting her feet wet.

Under the keen eye of the esteemed British architect, E. B. Hoare, the parade was constructed by an amalgamation of Jodhpur sandstone and Gizri limestone. On one side of the monument is the Lady Lloyd Pier; while on the other side is Jehangir Kothari`s bungalow. At the time when the Parade was built, this bungalow was the sole edifice on the then-desolate Clifton beach.

Positioned majestically at the junction of Sharah-i-Firdousi and Shahrah-i-Iran, directly in front of the happening Park Towers shopping mall, this Parade and now the Bin Qasim Park are quite the place to be in Clifton today. So pack up a delectable tea-time snack and whisk your family off to lounge in this park this Sunday evening and be sure to relish the balmy sea air and great architecture.