The Sindh High Court (SHC) asserted its stance against commercial activities within public parks and playgrounds in Karachi, emphasizing that such practices would not be permitted. A two-judge bench, led by acting Chief Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and district administrations to furnish records of all parks and playgrounds under their jurisdiction at the next hearing. The court sought detailed information about any parks or playgrounds that had been leased to individuals.
The court’s directives came in response to a petition filed against an auction for the rights to collect entry fees at six major parks in Karachi, including Beach Park, Jheel Park, Hill Park, Bagh-i-Jinnah (Polo Ground), Clifton’s Ameer Khusro, and ST-22 parks.
In a previous interim order in June, the SHC had restrained the KMC from proceeding with the auction, urging them not to finalize the process until further orders.
Expressing displeasure during the recent hearing, the acting chief justice was informed that entry and parking fees were being charged at public parks. He firmly stated that commercial activities within public parks and playgrounds would not be tolerated.
The KMC counsel claimed that the corporation was not charging entry fees in the parks under its administration. However, the petitioner contended that entry fees were being charged at Hill Park and Askari Park.
The court adjourned the hearing, directing lawyers to provide information about fees at parks with installed rides and swings.
The petitioner argued that the Supreme Court had previously barred any form of commercial activities in public parks. The legal challenge was filed to ensure justice, protection, and enforcement of fundamental rights as guaranteed by the constitution. The petitioner insisted that the impugned public notice, indicating an entry fee, violated the Supreme Court’s orders.
The SHC, in its pursuit of upholding fundamental rights, seeks records from authorities to determine compliance with legal directives regarding public spaces in Karachi.
