Owners of amusement parks approach LHC

Petitioner says industry is facing worst financial crisis

LAHORE: The Pakistan Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (PAAPA) knocked the doors of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday, seeking permission to resume their business.

The association filed the petition through senior advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, citing the Punjab government as respondent through its chief secretary.

It contended that the amusement parks provide healthy sports, recreational activities, rides and games affordable by the middle class and is a cheap source of healthy entertainment for the people.

The petitioner said the sector was facing one of the worst financial crises due to the closure of amusement parks since mid-March. None of the amusement parks of Punjab have earned any revenue in March and April due to which it has become impossible for them to pay the salaries to their employees, electricity bills, rent and other operational charges.

The petitioner said the owners’ were on the verge of bankruptcy.

It maintained that the crisis has forced the owners of amusement parks to default in payment of electricity bills and other operational expenses. It is the need of the hour that urgent steps be taken by the government of Punjab for opening the amusement parks immediately, it said.

The petitioner also confirmed that all standard operating procedures (SOPs) and precautionary measures would be undertaken once the amusement parks are opened for the public.

The parks should be allowed to open in order to save the industry and provide a healthy recreational environment to the general public, it said.

The petitioner implored the court that amusement parks should be opened before Eid holidays so that the people who have been under deep stress, depression and anxiety may get relaxation and relief from the monotony of difficult living conditions.

The petitioner further requested that the parks in the province be allowed to open druing the Eid holidays from 11am to 11pm.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2020.