KARACHI, July 12: The Sindh Minister for Planning and Development, Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of a model park in Korangi 6. To be constructed at a cost of Rs32.20 million, the park will have a jogging track, lawn, fountains, exercising equipments etc. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bukhari said that 19 acre plot for this park was allocated by former Sindh minister for housing and presently Sindh governor in 1991-92 and a boundary wall was also constructed around it. However, work on this project was stopped after the exit of the MQM from the government.

He said after the MQM came into power in January 2003, effort was made to have this project included in the Annual Development Programme and ultimately the finance department allocated the required funds.

The minister said that it was the distinction of MQM that it first started work on the project and then laid the foundation stone. It did not believe in cheap publicity, advertisement and false promises.

The construction of one park closes down two hospitals, so much affect a park has on human health with the provision of fresh air and oxygen which leads to the creation of a healthy society, the minister pointed out.—APP