Though the country is facing severe economic crisis, almost every political jack is keen to show adoration towards Benazir Bhutto by using public funds. A project of Rs 877 million to develop Benazir Bhutto Park is one of those several schemes in which public welfare money is blindly being used without any necessity but to pretend as the most loyal persons towards the supremo of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP).
A well-known physician, who is presently acting as advisor to Prime Minister, has proposed the project at Boat Basin, which seems to be unnecessary because several parks already exist. In pursuance of President Asif Ali Zardari directive for the development of the park, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has approved the summary of the project. The area of the proposed park is 152 acres, which is adjacent to Khayaban-e-Saadi and Khyaban-e-Firdousi.
The project is aimed to provide recreational facilities to the general public comprising stone tiles pitching sea side, walk board around the water, stone pathways, jogging track, lawns, stone benches, flower beds, physical appliances, hard stone benches, fibreglass dustbins, plantation, water arrangement, stone pillar entrance gate, construction of office and store room, food court, arena vision light, fountains, and outside pathways.
When contacted, official sources said the park would be constructed by the department of parks and horticulture of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) at a cost of Rs 877 million, to be funded by Sindh government. They said the project would be completed in six months, and added that some Rs 43.850 million would annually be reserved as its annual operating and maintenance cost.
They said the project was led by Liaquat, Executive Director Officer (EDO), parks and horticulture, whose efficiency was always questionable. Therefore, it is premature to say that the project would be completed within the stipulated period. They said a small graveyard, a private builders site office, crossing of Nahar-e-Khayam outlet, high tension power transmission tower, etc, are in the way of the proposed park. But the CDGK has submitted PC-I of the project, without clearing the site.
They said the country like Pakistan where people are deprived of getting basic commodity because of high inflation, unemployment and economic crisis, can not afford this sort of project, which would definitely put excess pressure on fiscal budget, which is presently going under deficit.
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