The construction of a ‘Public Corner’, meant for public gathering at Fatima Jinnah Park in Sector F/9, is to completed soon and will be opened for the “protesters” of the city in next few days. A stage and media gallery have been constructed while signboards for guiding the general public are already erected in various areas of the city, as the district administration is working diligently on the project.
However, during a visit of the site, people gave mixed reaction on the government decision for declaring a portion of the park as ‘Public Corner’ to stage protest demonstrations.
“Some ten years ago, the spot was the first choice for those wanting a morning walk but the trend changed due to commercial activities in the park. With the addition of this protest site, how can the people get relaxation,” said Muhammad Zameer, a regular a visitor of the park.
He strongly opposed the move, saying the Hyde Park should be established in front of the Press Club instead in a public recreational area. While supporting Zameer’s view, another visitor Ali Riaz said, “Park means a place for jogging, walking and entertainment not for staging protest demonstrations.”
“Holding protests is a right of people … but demonstrations should be held in a restricted area not in a public park,” he added.
On the other hand, some visitors supported the government’s initiative for security purpose.
Currently, the Parade Avenue in front of Parliament House is a favourite place for protesters, where they stage demonstration with an aim to attract the parliamentarians’ attraction, but all the protest demonstrations would now be held at the Hyde Park after its formal inauguration.
Over the past a few years, the Fatima Jinnah Park has been in news for various commercial ventures being taken within its vast area. Currently, a parking lot of the park is being used by Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) where they provide training to young boys and girls, aspiring to get their driving licences.
It is relevant to note that after the lawyers’ movement in 2007, the trend of staging protest demonstration in Islamabad gained popularity. A contractor, Ijaz Ahmed, said if the government would not give any further instruction, the current project would be completed in next two days and formally opened for public use.
Earlier on October 20, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had directed the Islamabad administration to declare a portion of the F-9 Park as a Public Corner for using it to hold gatherings and rallies, aiming to avoid security threats and loss of business community.
