World Bank allocates Rs58m for 3rd reconstruction of Karachi's Queens Park

The Queen’s Park in Sultanabad has been reconstructed for the third time by the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK), a project financed by the World Bank in collaboration with the Sindh government. The World Bank has allocated roughly Rs58 million in funds for this park, located near Ziauddin Hospital Clifton.  "Though it is the [provincial] government's duty to provide facilities such as parks and playgrounds, their upkeep and continued benefits [from them] depend on community cooperation and the involvement of local representatives," underscored Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah at the inaugration ceremony on Thursday. "True ownership of development projects can only come through collaboration between elected officials, town administrations and citizens."  Echoing the sentiment, CLICK Project Director Ayesha Hameed told The Express Tribune, "Parks built without meaningful input from local residents are not owned by the community. Consequently, there is little local monitoring or care once the contractor leaves".  However, she pointed to a larger structural problem within the local bodies noting that such projects often fall into disarray and are neglected after inaugration as it remains unclear whether it is the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation or the Town Municipal Corporation, union councils, or another governmental body responsible for its upkeep. Their ownership remains a "gray area," she noted.  “Each park upgraded under CLICK now includes a formal handover to the respective Town. A management allowance is demarcated in the local council’s budget” said Hameed, elaborating on measures taken by CLICK’s to prevent deterioration of parks. “During the Defect Liability Period (DLP), the responsibility for upkeep, including horticultural care, irrigation, and maintenance of fixtures, will rest with the contractor to ensure that all works remain in sound condition. Beyond the DLP, the respective Town Municipal Corporations have been directed to assume full responsibility for operations and maintenance.”  “Moreover, the TMCs have been encouraged to establish Park Management Committees comprising local residents, community representatives, and municipal staff to oversee maintenance, strengthen community ownership, and ensure the long-term sustainability of these public assets,” added Hameed. Read: Karachi welcomes country's first Floating Mangrove Biodiversity Park The park contains a walking track, freshly planted grass and a playground for children. There is also a ramp to accommodate wheelchair users or disabled persons. Separate bathrooms for males and females have been provided. “Shade-giving trees and other indigenous flora have been planted in Queen’s Park. While they are still young at this stage, the landscaping plan ensures that, as they mature, they will create adequate shade and improve the park’s microclimate,” Hameed told The Express Tribune. The park has been constructed with an effort to be inclusive for all genders. “There is a separate gate at the back of the park which was added to the design specifically to accommodate women. A guard will be permanently stationed here,” said Aisha Mughal, social development specialist at CLICK. “There are also specific timings on certain days during which only women are allowed in the park”. She added that efforts are being made to ensure that women are an integral part of local councils so that gender specific issues or concerns are not overlooked or ignored. This park is the only public recreational space for the residents of Sultanabad. “The identification and prioritization of schemes are carried out at the town level by the elected town chairperson, based on community needs and local development priorities. Accordingly, the proposal for the upgradation of this particular park was submitted by the concerned TMC, recognizing its central location, high public usage, and deteriorated condition,” said Hameed. “Requests by local communities are assessed for environmental risk and impact according to The World Bank’s guidelines and then approved and prioritised on a need basis. We are also working in collaboration with 246 union councils, whose feedback and input we greatly value,” reaffirmed Mughal. The park is neither the biggest, nor the greenest or the most impressive, but it is a step towards making Karachi a greener city with more public spaces for local communities and citizens. A total of eight parks have been fully completed and formally handed over to the respective TMCs for operation and maintenance, according to CLICK representatives. Another 50 parks and recreational spaces are currently under completion and are expected to be inaugrated by February 2026.

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