NAROWAL: The construction of Prem Nagar Public Park, initiated in 2017 with an allocation of Rs15 million from local government funds, remains incomplete after six years.

Land dispute litigation and a lack of interest from Sialkot district administration and local government officials have plagued the project. The allocated funds lapsed three times, hindering progress.

The construction of the park, located in the middle of Sialkot city, started on a drive by the local residents. Soon after the start of the work, eight people claimed ownership of the land, and got a court order halting construction. By that time, Rs7.5 million had already been spent on the park’s boundary wall.

Residents also decided to fight for the land acquisition, and engaged in a legal battle with the district administration of Sialkot.

Muzamil Ali Silharia, a resident and businessman, recounts the battle by the local residents against the ‘influential local residents’ attempting to seize government land forcibly.

He said the local residents submitted 550 requests across various platforms, such as the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Lahore High Court, president of Pakistan, prime minister, chief minister, chief secretary, Gujranwala commissioner, and deputy commissioner of Sialkot to settle the land dispute and start the construction of the Prem Nagar Public park. In 2020, the court settled the land dispute, allocating four kanals to the litigants and 16 kanals for the park.

Mr Silharia said that despite the government’s re-release of Rs7.5 million in 2020 to complete construction, the alleged disinterest of the district administration, local government, and deputy director of development led to the funds lapsing. Funds allocated for the park in 2021 and 2022 also remained unused.

In 2023, the Punjab government earmarked Rs7.5 million in the annual development funds for Prem Nagar Park. However, no progress has been observed at the site. Mr Silharia accused the deputy commissioner and executive engineer (EXEN) of the local government of causing delays. The construction remained a distant dream despite the National Commission of Human Rights ordered the park’s construction.

Residents like Aamir Chaudhry said Prem Nagar Park would be the sole recreational space for 600,000 residents of Mohalla Prem Nagar, Nasir Road, and Mohalla Islamia Park. The absence of alternative parks or grounds nearby leaves children and women with limited options for leisure activities.

He said the nearest parks, Fatima Jinnah Park and Gulshan Iqbal Park, are located five and 12 kilometers away. Mirza Salim, another local resident, drew attention to the deteriorating conditions of Prem Nagar Park. He described the presence of massive piles of grass, bushes, stones, and garbage, creating an unpleasant environment, especially during the rainy season when a strong smell emanates from the park. He said that the construction site, filled with dirt, becomes a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, poisonous insects, and snakes.

The National Commission of Human Rights has also ordered the construction of the park. However, the government has not taken any action yet.

The residents of Prem Nagar are now planning to hold protests to demand the completion of the park.

Local Government EXEN Muhammad Nasir said that he will re-tender after taking permission from the Election Commission of Pajistan. He said that the construction of the park will be completed soon with annual development funds.

Mohammad Atif, deputy director, said that the Punjab government has provided funds to complete the construction of the park. He said that the legal process is ongoing for the completion of the project. Newspaper advertisement for tender will be published soon.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2023