SHC declares commercial activities in Karachi parks, playgrounds illegal

KARACHI: In a landmark ruling, the Sindh High Court has declared all commercial activities in public parks and playgrounds across Karachi illegal.

The judgment was announced while hearing petitions against the commercial use of public parks by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

The court observed that KMC has no authority to lease out public parks or playgrounds to private parties for commercial purposes.

It further ruled that amenity plots must be used strictly for their designated purpose.

“The parks shall remain parks only and cannot be repurposed,” the court stated, adding that even under the banner of public-private partnerships, the original character of amenity plots cannot be altered.

Earlier, the Sindh High Court issued notices to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and other respondents, and summoned the director of parks in a petition challenging the commercial use of public parks in the metropolis.

Opposition leader in the City Council, Advocate Saifuddin, along with JI’s chairmen of TMCs — including New Karachi, Liaquatabad, Gulberg, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Model Colony, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Jinnah and Landhi — as well as a member of the City Council, filed a petition through their counsel Muhammad Vawda before the SHC to challenge a decision of the City Council that allows the conversion of amenity park plots for commercial use on a rental basis in alleged collusion with private parties.