Karachi: Conversion of park into commercial use, SHC serves notice on CDGK, others

[Naveed Yaseen]

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued a notice to the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) and Advocate General Sindh on a petition against conversion of a park into commercial use.

The court, in the meantime, directed that no third party interest shall be created over the park till further orders.

Nasarullah Shaji and Union Council Nazim of Jamshed Town Zahid Saeed submitted that Noor Ground, in PECHS, Block-2, was being used by the CDGK for commercial purposes despite the fact that it had been used by the area people as a public park for last 40 years.

The petitioners contended that the CDGK has no right to lease the park for commercial purpose and change the status of the park. They also alleged that the CDGK was also not disclosing the names to whom the park was being leased and under what terms and conditions.

The SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam after preliminary hearing of the petition issued notices to the CDGK and Advocate General Sindh in the case and called their comments.

Gizri flyover: The SHC issued notices to the Defence Housing Authority and others on a petition against the construction of the Gizri flyover in violation of environment laws.

The petitioner, Aneesa Farooqui, submitted that the construction of the bridge in Gizri was not according to the environmental laws and the construction was creating hardships for the residents. The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the compliance of the mandatory provision of environment laws was not made by the DHA while constructing the bridge and prayed the court to direct the respondents to fulfill the requirements envisaged under environment laws. The court issued notices to the DHA and others for December 1.

The court earlier disposing of the litigation pertained to the construction of the Gizri flyover allowed the DHA to continue the construction and at the same time directed the DHA to fulfil all legal requirements envisaged under the environment laws. The court had ordered the DHA to submit an environment impact assessment report to the government agency and in case of any negative finding, the DHA shall be liable to legal consequences, besides being liable to making suitable compensation to any affected person(s) in accordance with the law.

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