Malik Riaz clarifies Bahria Town stake in Karachi’s Bagh Ibne Qasim

Karachi mayor terms the move an injustice with the city's residents; announces to approach SHC

KARACHI: A day after the Sindh government handed over Karachi's iconic beachside park, Bagh Ibne Qasim, to real estate giant Bahria Town for adoption, Bahria Town CEO Malik Riaz has clarified that his company would not be taking over the park until all stakeholders, including Karachi's mayor were on board.

We will NOT take over this park till all stakeholders including Mayor Karachi agree to hand it over to us, rest assured. #Karachi #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/4O4rUeDjFx

— Malik Riaz Hussain (@MalikRiaz_) March 31, 2017

According to a notification issued on Thursday, the Local Government Department took over the iconic park from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and handed it over to the real estate development company.

“The existing staff deployed in the park and Aquarium will continue to serve at the same place and the salary of such staff will be paid by KMC,” the notification said.

Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar, while talking to a private news channel, said he had not been consulted before the handover took place.

We will NOT take over this park till all stakeholders including Mayor Karachi agree to hand it over to us, rest assured. #Karachi #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/4O4rUeDjFx

— Malik Riaz Hussain (@MalikRiaz_) March 31, 2017

Here's the list of responsibilities of #BahriaTown according to official agreement. #Karachi #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/X4avXrWeln

— Malik Riaz Hussain (@MalikRiaz_) March 31, 2017

In a bid for transparency, Riaz also tweeted out the agreement signed between the government and Bahria Town.

He further clarified that they Bahria Town would not be buying the park and funds used for beautification and maintenance of the park would come only from Bahria Town itself.

"We have no commercial interests ... it is really disappointing that positive intentions are being opposed," he added

Developed under the supervision of the then city nazim Mustafa Kamal and inaugurated by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2007, the park, spanning 130 acres, gained massive publicity at the time.

However, despite Rs600 million spent on it, the park has been neglected for quite a long time. There are no gardeners, sweepers or watchmen to look after it.

'Will approach court on Monday'

Reacting to the handing over of Bagh Ibne Qasim, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that the city government will not let the deal take place, terming it an 'injustice' towards the residents of Karachi.

"How can the Sindh government sign this agreement without involving the mayor in the process," a visibly infuriated Akhtar told journalists on Friday. "I will approach Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday against this unjust move," he added.

The mayor also objected on the content of the agreement, saying that assurances of not using land for commercial activities were not enough. "There's a trust deficit in this matter as previously, lands have been used for commercial activities once they were acquired."

Akhtar said that there were clear directives from the Supreme Court stating that no commercial activities could take place [at parks]. The mayor clarified that he does not oppose the beautification of Karachi and has reservations only with the methodology being used.

He further added that the park will be looked after by the employees of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), for which permission should have been taken in advance.

"The Sindh government is failing miserably in developing this city and we can help them improve." Akhtar said. "We are also aware of your ulterior motives behind this move and will reveal them when the time is ripe," he said in a thinly veiled jibe at Bahria Town CEO Malik Riaz.

"This city is home to 30 million people and we will not let anyone to barter their property," the mayor remarked.