KARACHI: Residents of Clifton staged a demonstration in front of Bagh Ibne Qasim in protest over encroachments and commercialisation of public parks.

Carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the city mayor and operations of padel courts in public parks, the protesters, including women and children, were also joined by local Jamaat-i-Islami leadership.

Speaking on the occasion, JI-Karachi chief Monem Zafar said that Karachiites would not tolerate encroachment on any park, including Bagh Ibne Qasim.

“We stand firmly with the residents. We will resist, struggle and also approach the courts to ensure Karachi’s parks remain protected from land mafias,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition in City Council Advocate Saifuddin said the city’s expensive land has become a prime target for mafias, and Clifton’s parks are under direct threat.

He noted that conspiracies were being hatched against Bagh Ibne Qasim as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had demolished its boundary wall. He also criticised the mayor’s justification that the park’s walls were demolished to reveal the “beautiful view” inside.

He insisted that the walls had already been designed to allow visibility, making their demolition unnecessary and suspicious. “This clearly strengthens concerns about an attempted land grab,” he said.

Later, the residents and JI leaders staged a rally Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim to the main gate of the Beach View Park.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2025