The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to furnish a comprehensive report regarding compliance with its order of removing encroachments from Jahangir Park.
The SHC bench headed by Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition filed by the citizens in which they sought rehabilitation of Jahangir Park and removal of encroachments from it.
On Tuesday’s hearing, the KMC counsel submitted that its order of removing encroachments from Janagir Park had been complied with. They submitted press cutting, but the court directed them to furnish the report in this regard within three days.
Earlier on 16th September, the court had ordered removal of encroachments from the park and shifting of five KMC employees living there to Korangi’s Taj Mustafa Colony.
The petitioners submitted that the park had historical importance, but now it had become a haven for drug users due to the negligence of relevant administration. They pleaded the court that bus and rickshaw stands had been established in the park which had ruined its beauty. “Encroachments, fruit stalls and pushcarts around the park have ruined the park’s beauty,” the petitioners submitted.
The petitioners had prayed the court to direct the administration to remove encroachments, bus stands and other obstacles from the land around the park. They requested the court that the park should be developed again. The court was further requested to direct the concerned authorities to rehabilitate the park and remove the encroachment from it so that it could be used for public recreation once again.
Jahangir Park has its historical importance as it was gifted to Karachiites in 1893 by a Parsi Philanthopist, Khan Behramjee.
