KHAIRPUR, March 6: The district council on Tuesday demanded inquiry into a deal on Dilshad Park’s possession between the district government and a private claimant and urged the authorities concerned to make it public.

The park was part of the property former ruler of Khairpur state Mir Ali Nawaz Naz had bequeathed to his beloved wife Iqbal Bano alias Baali Begum who died in 1967 without any issue or a will.

Later, a Hafeez But who claimed to be her nephew moved the court against town municipal administration (TMA) to claim the property as late Baali’s legal heir.

The court, after a prolonged trial, ordered the TMA to give the park’s possession to Mr But who took over the property on Feb 22 this year sparking public furore after he reportedly started dismantling it.

People took to streets against the park’s demolition and the city’s political and social organisations formed a Khairpur Bachayo Committee to halt the park’s handover.

When the committee was staging demonstrations on March 4, Mr But made a dramatic announcement that he was donating the park to district government under a deal whose details were not disclosed.

Awam Dost Panel members Abdul Qayyum, Bakht Ali Dahote and Ghazala Siyal demanded inquiry into the park’s ownership, dismantling of iron grill, lights and other beautification items and termed the park’s donation by Mr But ‘a farce’.

They alleged that fake revenue records had been prepared to dispose of the district’s historical places including the building of police station B-section.

They said that general public and ADP had grave concerns about the TMA’s deal with Mr But.

Members of Khairpur Dost Panel (KDP) appreciated the district government for taking over the park’s possession. Convenor Mir Dinal Talpur ruled that the park was not Mr But’s property and the issue had been settled. The lights, iron grills and other items would soon be installed at the park, he assured.

KDP’s Abbas Ali Shah pointed out to delay in release of water into main canals, which he said had affected seasonal crops including wheat, mango orchards and date palm orchards.

The members complained of silt deposition, weak banks and insufficient irrigation water in several minors including Bhatti,, Miyani, Khuhra, Priyaloi, Pir Mangio, Phulpoto and Sathio wah.

Ms Zeenat Shaikh demanded an inquiry into the complaints about use of substandard material in the lining of watercourses in union council Lyari.