SC moved against conversion of public parks into commercial land

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Former Karachi nazim Naimatullah Khan on Wednesday filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the conversion of parks and public lands into residential and commercial plots and establishing political parties’ offices on public properties.

The petitioner said the use of parks and public lands for any other purpose was illegal, unlawful, based on malafide intents, a gross violation of the fundamental rights of citizens and without jurisdiction. Referring to Article 184(3) of the constitution, he raised 14 questions on the matter, including whether any government authority, institution or organisation was vested with any power to convert public land and amenity plots reserved for the beneficial enjoyment of the public at large into residential or commercial estates?

The other questions asked were whether the conversion of public land and amenity spaces like playgrounds, parks, parking lots etc into residential, commercial or other usage was an infringement of fundamental rights of the citizens of Pakistan and whether any political party, group or coalition was entitled to establish its party offices over the land reserved for public use and amenity purposes?

He said it was the duty of the state to provide playgrounds, parks and other amenity services to its citizens instead of taking away the ones that already existed.

“The biggest reason for the law and order situation in Karachi is the illegal possession of public land and its methods of disposal,” the petitioner said, adding that political parties’ offices had been established on public amenities in Shah Faisal Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Gadap Town, Jamshed Town, Malir Town, District Central, Site Town, Orangi Town, District South and Kimari Town.